Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It’s 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 variation, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha hi-low starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round of betting follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. Another round of wagering happens. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting follows and then the river card is flipped. The players will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants can get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use precisely three cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in almost all poker games.
A lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
While it seems difficult initially, after a few rounds you will be able to get the basic nuances of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi/low offers an amazing range of betting choices and owing to the fact that you have several individuals shooting for the high hand, and several trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi-low.
