Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of betting happens at which point the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants often get flustered. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same approach in nearly every poker game.
A low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could 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 low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand takes the entire pot.
While it seems difficult initially, following a few hands you will be agile enough to get the basic subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha High-Low provides an overwhelming range of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have several players shooting for the high, along with several trying for the low hand. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.
