Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but popular poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha hi lo begins like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of betting follows and then the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants can get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same concept in almost every poker game.
A low hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
While it seems difficult initially, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the fundamental nuances of play easily enough. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming range of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, along with a few trying for the low. If you like a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha High-Low.
