Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha/8 begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of wagering happens. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to make the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize precisely three cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike normal 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 possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same approach in almost every poker game.
The lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
Although it seems difficult at the outset, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic nuances of the game easily enough. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha hi low offers an exciting collection of betting possibilities and owing to the fact that you have several individuals shooting for the high hand, and several battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha/8.
