Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same approach in almost every poker game.
The low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem complex at the start, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha High-Low offers an exciting range of betting options and seeing that you have many players trying for the high hand, and many shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha hi lo.
