Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha Hi-Lo starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting ensues in which players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of wagering happens. After all the players have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players often get baffled. Contrasted to Hold’em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use exactly three cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same approach in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. 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 high hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
It may seem difficult at the start, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the basic nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi/low offers an exciting array of wagering options and because you have several individuals battling for the high, and several battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.