Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants often get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use exactly three cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same notion in almost every poker game.
The lower hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem difficult at the outset, following a few hands you will be able to get the base subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming collection of betting choices and seeing that you have many players battling for the high, as well as many trying for the low hand. If you like a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha High-Low.