Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better starts just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting follows in which players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another round of betting happens. After all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence 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 based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of players often get confused. Contrasted to Hold’em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize precisely three cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might 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 everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in nearly all poker games.
The low hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could 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 low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems difficult at first, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the fundamental subtleties 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 being used at once, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming assortment of betting choices and owing to the fact that you have several individuals shooting for the high, and a few trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha hi lo.