Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha hi/low starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. a further round of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same notion in almost every poker game.
A low hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.
It may seem difficult at first, following a couple of hands you will be able to get the base nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha hi lo provides an exciting assortment of betting options and seeing that you have several players shooting for the high hand, along with a few battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.
