Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of betting ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of betting ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where many players get flustered. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize precisely three cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same approach in just about every poker game.
A low hand is more complex, but really opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
It may seem complex at the start, following a couple of rounds you will be able to get the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha High-Low offers an amazing array of betting possibilities and because you have numerous individuals battling for the high hand, along with many trying for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.
