Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has increased in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A round of betting ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. One more round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants often get flustered. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must use precisely three cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in nearly all poker games.
A low hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem complex initially, following a few hands you will be agile enough to get the basic subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming array of wagering options and because you have numerous players trying for the high, as well as many battling for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha/8.
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