Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where some players often get confused. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical concept in almost all poker games.
A lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
While it seems difficult initially, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of play with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing collection of wagering possibilities and because you have many individuals shooting for the high, and many battling for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha/8.
