Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of wagering ensues. After all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players often get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same concept in nearly all poker games.
The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand takes the entire pot.
While it seems complicated at the outset, following a couple of hands you will be agile enough to get the fundamental subtleties of play easily enough. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha hi/low provides an amazing range of wagering options and seeing that you have numerous players shooting for the high, as well as several shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.
