Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha hi lo begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to make the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players can get flustered. Contrasted to Hold’em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use precisely three cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same approach in almost every poker game.
The low hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.
While it seems complex at the outset, following a few hands you will be able to get the base subtleties of the game with ease. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an amazing range of wagering options and seeing that you have many individuals trying for the high hand, and many battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.
