Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further round of betting happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants can get confused. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to utilize exactly three cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical notion in nearly all poker games.
A low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the whole pot.
Although it seems complex at the outset, following a few hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha Hi-Lo offers an amazing assortment of betting possibilities and owing to the fact that you have many players battling for the high, as well as a few battling for the low hand. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.
