Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has grown in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of wagering follows where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. A further round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to make the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where many players get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use precisely three cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same notion in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since 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 8 and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.
While it seems difficult initially, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi/lo offers an exciting array of betting choices and seeing that you have numerous players trying for the high, along with several battling for the low hand. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.