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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering follows at which point the river card is flipped. The players will have to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants often get flustered. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical approach in just about all poker games.
The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand wins the whole pot.
Although it seems difficult at first, after a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of the game simply enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha hi lo provides an exciting collection of betting options and because you have many individuals trying for the high hand, along with many trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.
