Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha Hi-Lo begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A round of wagering follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another round of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting happens at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where many players can get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same notion in just about all poker games.
The lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. 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 lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand wins the whole pot.
While it seems difficult initially, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha Hi-Lo provides an overwhelming range of wagering options and seeing that you have many players trying for the high hand, along with many trying for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.
