Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering follows where players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same concept in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems complex at first, after a couple of hands you will be able to get the basic subtleties of play easily enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi lo provides an amazing array of betting options and seeing that you have numerous players shooting for the high, along with many trying for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.
