Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of betting follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of players can get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same concept in nearly every poker game.
The low hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest value being 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 low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems difficult at the outset, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the basic nuances of the game with ease. Since you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi lo provides an exciting collection of betting choices and seeing that you have several players battling for the high, and many shooting for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.
