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’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha hi low starts just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A round of wagering ensues where players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is known as the flop. Another round of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The players will need to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players can get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to utilize precisely three cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in almost every poker game.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem complex initially, after a few hands you will be agile enough to get the basic subtleties of the game with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing range of wagering possibilities and owing to the fact that you have numerous players shooting for the high hand, as well as several trying for the low. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha/8.
