Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. 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 obscure variation, has grown in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same notion in nearly every poker game.
The low hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem complex initially, following a few hands you will be agile enough to get the basic nuances of play easily enough. Since you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting assortment of wagering options and because you have numerous players trying for the high hand, and a few battling for the low. If you love a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.
