Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant game, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha hi/low begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A round of wagering follows where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. A further round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants can get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could 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. It’s the very same concept in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the entire pot.
While it seems difficult at the outset, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic subtleties of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 offers an exciting array of wagering options and because you have many players trying for the high hand, along with several battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha hi-low.
