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, aims for action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha hi/low starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The entrants must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants can get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same approach in just about every poker game.
A low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem complicated initially, following a few hands you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play easily enough. Since you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an exciting collection of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have numerous players shooting for the high, and several trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha Hi-Lo.
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