Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A round of betting ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. One more sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point 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 lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in just about every poker game.
The low hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest value being 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 low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.
While it seems complex at the outset, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the basic subtleties of the game with ease. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi/low provides an overwhelming assortment of wagering choices and because you have several individuals battling for the high, and many shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha hi lo.
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