Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha hi/low begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A round of wagering ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of wagering ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some entrants often get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which 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 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical approach in nearly every poker game.
The low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
While it seems complex at first, following a couple of rounds you will be able to get the basic nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha hi lo offers an exciting range of betting possibilities and because you have many individuals battling for the high hand, as well as a few shooting for the low hand. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi/lo.
