Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows where players can wager, check, or fold. Three 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 dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players often get baffled. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical concept in almost all poker games.
The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem complex at the start, after a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting range of betting possibilities and because you have numerous individuals battling for the high hand, and many shooting for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.