Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but favored poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. 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 players get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same approach in almost all poker games.
A low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest value being 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 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems complicated at the outset, after a couple of hands you will be able to get the basic nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing collection of wagering options and because you have many players trying for the high hand, and many shooting for the low. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.
