Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant game, has grown in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A round of betting follows where players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting happens and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some entrants often get flustered. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can be every player’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. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not 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 don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems complex initially, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing range of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have several players battling for the high, and several trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.
