Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha hi low begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The entrants will have to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants often get flustered. Unlike Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same concept in nearly every poker game.
A lower hand is more complex, but really free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.
Although it seems complicated at first, following a couple of hands you will be able to get the base nuances of the game easily enough. Since you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing array of betting possibilities and because you have many players shooting for the high hand, and several trying for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.
