Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but favored poker games. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha hi low starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round of betting follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another round of betting happens. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants can get baffled. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize exactly three cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical approach in almost all poker games.
A low hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, 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 lowest 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 is no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems complex initially, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic subtleties of play easily enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming collection of wagering options and because you have several individuals battling for the high, along with a few shooting for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi low.