Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha hi-low starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another round of betting follows at which point the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some entrants get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same concept in just about all poker games.
A lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems difficult initially, following a couple of hands you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha High-Low provides an amazing assortment of betting choices and owing to the fact that you have several players battling for the high, and many shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.
