Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but favored poker games. 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 irrelevant game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. One more round of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting follows and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same concept in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand wins the whole pot.
While it seems complex initially, following a couple of hands you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha High-Low offers an overwhelming collection of wagering choices and because you have many players battling for the high, and many trying for the low. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha Hi-Lo.
