Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has increased in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another round of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of betting happens and then the river card is revealed. The players will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants can get flustered. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same notion in just about all poker games.
A low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
While it seems complicated at the start, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi low provides an amazing collection of wagering choices and because you have many players trying for the high, along with several battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha hi/lo.
