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 action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. After all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where some entrants often get baffled. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must use exactly three cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the identical approach in nearly every poker game.
The low hand is more complex, but really free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the lowest value being 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 five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. 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 whole pot.
While it seems difficult at the start, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the basic subtleties of play with ease. Since 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 offers an exciting collection of betting possibilities and because you have several individuals battling for the high, as well as a few trying for the low hand. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha Hi-Lo.