[
English ]
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex 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 chief reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha hi/low starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. One more round of betting ensues. After all the players have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. a further round of betting happens at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some players can get flustered. Unlike Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. 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 same approach in just about all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem complex initially, after a few hands you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming range of wagering choices and because you have numerous players battling for the high, as well as several trying for the low hand. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha Hi-Lo.