Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A round of wagering follows where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The entrants will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players get baffled. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical notion in nearly all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
Although it seems complex at the outset, after a few hands you will be able to get the base nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming range of wagering possibilities and owing to the fact that you have several individuals trying for the high, along with many battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha 8 or better.