Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of betting ensues where players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players often get flustered. Contrasted to Hold’em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to utilize precisely three cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same notion in just about all poker games.
A low hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t 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’s no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem complicated at first, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of play easily enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an exciting assortment of wagering choices and because you have many individuals shooting for the high hand, as well as a few trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.
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