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 is a game 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 grown in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants get flustered. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same approach in almost every poker game.
A low hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the worst 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 value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems difficult at first, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha Hi-Lo provides an exciting array of betting choices and because you have several players battling for the high, and many battling for the low. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha hi lo.
