Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha hi-low starts just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering follows in which players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further round of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further round of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants can get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical concept in just about every poker game.
The low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest 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 lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems difficult at first, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic subtleties of play with ease. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi low provides an overwhelming assortment of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have numerous players shooting for the high hand, and many shooting for the low. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.
