Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha/8 begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering follows where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of wagering happens at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some players can get flustered. Contrasted to Hold’em, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use precisely three cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same approach in almost all poker games.
The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems complex initially, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an overwhelming range of wagering choices and seeing that you have several individuals shooting for the high, and several battling for the low. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.