Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but favored poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The entrants will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players can get flustered. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize exactly three cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular 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’s the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same notion in almost every poker game.
The low hand is more complicated, but really free’s 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 worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
Although it seems complex at the outset, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the base subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha hi/lo offers an overwhelming collection of betting possibilities and because you have many individuals shooting for the high, as well as several trying for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.
