Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A sequence of betting follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further round of betting happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is revealed. The players will have to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where some players get confused. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 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 could be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in just about all poker games.
A lower hand is more complex, but really free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems difficult initially, following a few rounds you will be able to get the base nuances of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 offers an amazing array of betting options and seeing that you have many individuals battling for the high hand, and many battling for the low hand. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.
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