Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better starts just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of betting follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. A further round of wagering happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further round of wagering happens and then the river card is revealed. The players will need to make the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in just about every poker game.
The low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as 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 eight and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
While it seems difficult at the start, following a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting collection of wagering choices and seeing that you have many individuals shooting for the high, as well as many battling for the low. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.