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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant game, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering ensues where players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another round of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of players often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same notion in just about all poker games.
The lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems complicated initially, following a few hands you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of the game with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting collection of betting options and because you have numerous individuals battling for the high hand, and several shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.
