Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some players often get baffled. Contrasted to Hold’em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use precisely three cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same approach in just about all poker games.
A low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
While it seems difficult at first, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha hi/lo provides an exciting range of wagering options and because you have numerous individuals trying for the high hand, along with a few shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.
