Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A round of betting ensues in which players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players often get flustered. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical approach in just about all poker games.
A low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. 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 worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
While it seems difficult at the start, following a couple of rounds you will be able to get the base subtleties of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming array of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have many individuals battling for the high, along with many shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha Hi-Lo.