Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but favored poker games. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A round of betting ensues where players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is revealed. The players will have to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize precisely three cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same notion in just about all poker games.
A low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
While it seems difficult at first, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha hi/low provides an overwhelming range of wagering options and seeing that you have several individuals trying for the high hand, and many battling for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.
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