Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha/8 starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows where players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further round of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants get flustered. Unlike Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to use exactly three cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. 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 just what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same concept in just about every poker game.
The low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.
Although it seems complicated at the outset, after a couple of hands you will be able to get the base nuances of the game with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming assortment of betting possibilities and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals trying for the high hand, and many battling for the low. If you like a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha hi/low.