Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better starts just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of betting follows in which players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further round of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few players often get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. No 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 is the strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical concept in almost every poker game.
A lower hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Since 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 eight and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems complex initially, after a few hands you will be able to get the base subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming collection of wagering options and seeing that you have several individuals battling for the high, and several shooting for the low. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi/lo.
