Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but favored poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has increased in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. One more round of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further round of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize precisely three cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in just about all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems complex initially, following a few hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the base subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha hi lo offers an exciting assortment of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have several individuals battling for the high hand, along with a few shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to play Omaha hi lo.
