Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant game, has increased in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting ensues where players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The players will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants often get flustered. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize exactly three cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same approach in just about all poker games.
The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the action. 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 made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
While it seems complicated at first, following a few hands you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi/lo provides an exciting range of betting options and owing to the fact that you have many players trying for the high hand, along with several battling for the low. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.
