Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha hi low begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants often get flustered. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize precisely three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same concept in almost every poker game.
A low hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem difficult initially, after a few hands you will be able to get the base subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an amazing range of wagering options and because you have several players trying for the high hand, along with many battling for the low hand. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to play Omaha 8 or better.
