Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha hi/low begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of betting follows where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The entrants will have to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some players often get flustered. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to use exactly three cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical notion in just about every poker game.
The lower hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low 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’s no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem complex initially, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic nuances of the game easily enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha Hi-Lo offers an overwhelming collection of wagering choices and because you have several individuals shooting for the high hand, as well as a few trying for the low. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.
