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 normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting follows where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some entrants often get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize precisely three cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same notion in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem difficult at first, following a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the base nuances of play simply enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming array of betting options and because you have several individuals shooting for the high, along with a few shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.
