Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has grown in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha hi lo begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players can get confused. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem difficult at the start, after a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha High-Low offers an overwhelming array of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have numerous players battling for the high hand, along with several battling for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.