Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha Hi-Lo begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. One more round of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of betting follows at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players often get baffled. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same concept in nearly every poker game.
A low hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem complex at first, after a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha hi-low offers an amazing range of wagering options and because you have several players shooting for the high, along with many trying for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.
