Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complex but popular poker games. It is 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 invisible game, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering follows at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants will need to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where some players get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use exactly three cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical approach in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more complicated, but really opens 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 worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
Although it seems difficult at first, after a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the basic nuances of play simply enough. Since you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing assortment of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have many players battling for the high, and several trying for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.
