Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker games. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where some entrants get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same approach in almost all poker games.
The low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest 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 below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem difficult at the start, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic nuances of play simply enough. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming array of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have several individuals trying for the high hand, along with many battling for the low hand. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.