Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. One more round of wagering happens. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt 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 Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical approach in nearly every poker game.
A low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem complicated at the start, after a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an overwhelming array of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have several players trying for the high hand, along with several battling for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha hi low.