Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha hi lo starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants get confused. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize exactly three cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical notion in almost every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem difficult initially, after a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of the game simply enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha hi/lo provides an overwhelming array of wagering possibilities and because you have several individuals shooting for the high, as well as many battling for the low. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha High-Low.
