Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved 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 obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha hi low begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows where players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some entrants can get confused. Contrasted to Hold’em, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher 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, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in nearly every poker game.
A low hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem complex initially, following a couple of hands you will be able to get the basic subtleties of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi/low provides an exciting assortment of betting options and because you have several individuals battling for the high hand, along with several battling for the low. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.
