Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but favored poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha hi low starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in just about all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem complex at first, following a few hands you will be agile enough to get the base subtleties of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi lo provides an overwhelming assortment of wagering possibilities and because you have numerous players trying for the high hand, along with a few battling for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.
