Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but favored poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of betting ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. a further round of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The players 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 few players can get confused. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same notion in almost all poker games.
The lower hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as 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 8 and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem complicated initially, following a few hands you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming array of betting possibilities and because you have many individuals trying for the high, along with a few shooting for the low hand. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.
