Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of wagering follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. One more round of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of wagering happens at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players can get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the identical notion in just about all poker games.
A low hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem difficult at the outset, following a few rounds you will be able to get the base nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi/low provides an exciting assortment of wagering options and because you have many players shooting for the high, as well as many trying for the low hand. If you love a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha hi/lo.
