Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants will need to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players often get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same concept in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
Although it seems complex initially, after a couple of hands you will be able to get the base subtleties of play easily enough. Since you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming collection of wagering possibilities and owing to the fact that you have numerous players battling for the high hand, as well as many battling for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha hi low.
