Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha hi lo begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. After all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will need to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few players can get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use precisely three cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same notion in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem complex at the outset, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming range of betting choices and because you have several players shooting for the high, and several shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha hi-low.
