Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A round of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. One more sequence of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants often get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular 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 is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same approach in nearly all poker games.
A low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since 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 eight and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
While it seems difficult at the outset, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play easily enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi/low offers an overwhelming range of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have many individuals trying for the high, as well as a few shooting for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.
