Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has grown in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some players get flustered. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike 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 every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same notion in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more complex, but really free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems difficult at the outset, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic subtleties of the game with ease. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi lo offers an exciting assortment of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have numerous individuals battling for the high, along with several trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha hi/low.
