Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha hi/low begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of betting ensues where players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. Another round of betting happens. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of wagering happens at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players often get confused. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same approach in almost every poker game.
A low hand is more complex, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
Although it seems complex initially, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the base subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi/lo offers an amazing collection of betting options and because you have many individuals trying for the high, as well as several battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.
