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’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering follows in which players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. One more round of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The players will need to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players get flustered. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same approach in almost all poker games.
A low hand is more complex, but really opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem difficult at first, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an exciting assortment of betting options and owing to the fact that you have several individuals trying for the high, as well as a few trying for the low. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha 8 or better.