Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A round of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. One more sequence of wagering ensues. After all the players have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further round of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The players will have to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize precisely three cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same approach in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can 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 worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
Although it seems difficult at the start, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the base nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals 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 exciting range of betting options and because you have many individuals trying for the high, and several trying for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.