Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has increased in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. After all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further round of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants get confused. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same approach in just about all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not 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 value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem complicated at first, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of the game simply enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better provides an exciting array of wagering options and because you have many players shooting for the high hand, and several trying for the low. If you like a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.
