Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha hi lo begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further round 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 at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants will need to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to utilize exactly three cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same notion in nearly every poker game.
A lower hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that 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 low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem complicated initially, following a few rounds you will be able to get the base nuances of play with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi lo offers an amazing array of wagering possibilities and because you have numerous individuals battling for the high hand, as well as a few battling for the low hand. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.
