Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering ensues where players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further round of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where many players can get baffled. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same notion in nearly every poker game.
A low hand is more complex, but really opens up the action. 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 value being 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 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
While it seems difficult initially, following a couple of hands you will be agile enough to get the base subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha High-Low provides an exciting array of wagering choices and seeing that you have many players shooting for the high hand, as well as many battling for the low. If you love a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha Hi-Lo.