Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It’s 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 invisible variation, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another round of wagering happens. After all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some entrants get confused. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low 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, etc. It’s the same notion in almost all poker games.
The low hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the worst being 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 below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand takes the whole pot.
While it seems complicated at the outset, following a few hands you will be able to pick up on the basic nuances of play simply enough. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 offers an exciting array of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have numerous players shooting for the high, along with a few trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.
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