Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha Hi-Lo begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering follows where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is revealed. The entrants will need to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players can get confused. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to use exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same concept in almost every poker game.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can 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 smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem complicated at first, after a couple of hands you will be able to get the base nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an exciting assortment of betting choices and because you have many individuals battling for the high, along with a few battling for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha hi-low.