Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha/8 starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of betting follows where players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. After all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will need to make the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same notion in nearly every poker game.
A low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could 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 smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems complicated at first, following a few rounds you will be able to get the base nuances of play simply enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting array of wagering choices and seeing that you have numerous individuals battling for the high, and a few battling for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha/8.
