Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a few entrants often get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize exactly 3 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 "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same notion in nearly all poker games.
The low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that 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 8 and below. 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 entire pot.
It may seem difficult at first, following a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of the game with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 offers an amazing range of wagering possibilities and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals trying for the high hand, as well as many battling for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha/8.
