Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. Another round of wagering happens. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of wagering follows at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants often get confused. Contrasted to Hold’em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to use precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in nearly all poker games.
A lower hand is more complex, but really free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.
Although it seems complicated at the outset, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha Hi-Lo offers an exciting range of betting possibilities and because you have many players shooting for the high hand, and many trying for the low. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha hi-low.
