Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another round of wagering ensues. After all the players have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players get confused. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical notion in almost every poker game.
A low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem difficult initially, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the fundamental subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an exciting collection of betting options and seeing that you have several players trying for the high hand, along with several shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.