Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha hi-low begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of wagering happens. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players often get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same notion in almost every poker game.
A lower hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest value being 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 lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem complex at the start, following a couple of hands you will be agile enough to get the fundamental subtleties of the game easily enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming array of betting choices and because you have numerous individuals battling for the high hand, along with a few trying for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha hi lo.
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