Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but favored poker games. It’s 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 obscure game, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants get baffled. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use precisely three cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems complex at the start, following a couple of hands you will be able to get the base subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha Hi-Lo offers an exciting array of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have numerous individuals trying for the high hand, and many battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha Hi-Lo.
