Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has grown in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of wagering follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is known as the flop. A further round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where some entrants can get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to regular 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’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical concept in nearly all poker games.
The lower hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
It may seem complicated initially, following a few hands you will be able to get the basic subtleties of the game with ease. Since you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha Hi-Lo provides an amazing assortment of wagering options and because you have several players trying for the high hand, and a few battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.
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