Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but favored poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. Another round of betting ensues and then the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few players get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in nearly all poker games.
The low hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the worst being made up of 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’s no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.
Although it seems difficult at the outset, after a couple of hands you will be able to get the base subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha hi low offers an exciting assortment of wagering choices and seeing that you have several players trying for the high, as well as a few shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha High-Low.