Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another round of betting happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting 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 many players often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in just about every poker game.
A low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. 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 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 possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems complex initially, after a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic nuances of the game simply enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha High-Low provides an amazing range of wagering options and because you have many individuals battling for the high, and several shooting for the low hand. If you love a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.
