Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker games. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. A further round of betting happens. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players can get confused. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize exactly three cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same concept in nearly all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
Although it seems difficult initially, after a few hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming collection of betting options and seeing that you have many individuals battling for the high hand, along with several battling for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha hi/low.
