Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of betting follows and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use exactly three cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the identical notion in nearly every poker game.
The low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem difficult at the outset, after a few hands you will be able to get the base nuances of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming array of betting choices and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, and many battling for the low hand. If you love a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.
