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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but favored poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha hi/low starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another round of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting follows at which point the river card is flipped. The players will need to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some entrants often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same notion in almost every poker game.
The low hand is more complex, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem difficult initially, after a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing collection of betting possibilities and because you have numerous players shooting for the high hand, as well as many trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha hi/lo.
