Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where some players get confused. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in nearly all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but really 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 made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem complicated at the start, following a couple of rounds you will be able to get the base subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an overwhelming range of wagering options and seeing that you have numerous players battling for the high, along with a few battling for the low hand. If you love a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha/8.
