Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but popular poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round of betting ensues where players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further round of wagering happens. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens at which point the river card is revealed. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants often get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike 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’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same notion in just about every poker game.
A low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.
While it seems complicated initially, after a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming assortment of betting possibilities and because you have numerous players trying for the high hand, along with a few shooting for the low. If you like a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha/8.
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