Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha hi-low begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The players will need to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a few entrants get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same approach in almost all poker games.
A low 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 might be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems complex at first, following a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha hi/low offers an overwhelming array of wagering possibilities and because you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, along with a few trying for the low. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.
