Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but favored poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha hi lo begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A round of betting ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The players will have to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some entrants can get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same concept in just about every poker game.
The low hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being made up of 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 five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.
Although it seems difficult at the outset, following a few hands you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha hi lo offers an overwhelming range of betting choices and because you have numerous individuals trying for the high hand, and several trying for the low. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.
