Omaha Hi/Lo: General Summary
Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha hi lo begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of wagering follows where players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of wagering happens at which point the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants can get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to utilize precisely three cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same concept in almost every poker game.
The lower hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem complicated initially, after a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming range of betting possibilities and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, and many shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.