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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another round of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering happens and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to make the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants often get confused. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same approach in nearly all poker games.
A low hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could 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 smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem difficult initially, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming range of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have many individuals battling for the high, and a few trying for the low hand. 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.
