Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. After all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting follows at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players often get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use precisely three cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card 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 exactly how it sounds. It is the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in just about all poker games.
A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems difficult at the outset, after a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the basic nuances of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha Hi-Lo offers an overwhelming collection of betting possibilities and owing to the fact that you have several players trying for the high hand, as well as many battling for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.
