Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant game, has grown in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha hi/lo starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting follows at which point the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players can get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to use precisely three cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical approach in nearly all poker games.
A lower hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. 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 high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
Although it seems difficult at first, following a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi lo provides an amazing collection of betting options and seeing that you have many individuals shooting for the high hand, and several trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.
