Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but favored poker games. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha hi/low starts just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of wagering follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. Another round of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another round of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The players will have to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few players often get flustered. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical notion in almost all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that 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 eight and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem difficult initially, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Since you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha High-Low offers an exciting assortment of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have several individuals battling for the high, and several shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.
