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 is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. Another round of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of betting follows at which point the river card is flipped. 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 entrants can get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use exactly three cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in almost all poker games.
A lower hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
Although it seems complex at first, after a few rounds you will be able to get the basic nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an overwhelming range of betting choices and seeing that you have several individuals battling for the high, as well as many battling for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha Hi-Lo.
