Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. A further round of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will need to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some entrants get confused. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards on 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 could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical concept in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
It may seem complex initially, after a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of play simply enough. Since you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha hi-low provides an overwhelming range of wagering possibilities and owing to the fact that you have many individuals shooting for the high hand, along with many battling for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to play Omaha 8 or better.
