Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows where players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as 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. Another sequence of wagering ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants can get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use precisely three cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same notion in nearly every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems difficult at the start, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the base subtleties of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming collection of betting options and because you have several individuals trying for the high hand, as well as several battling for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.
