Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting happens at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players get baffled. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower 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 identical approach in just about all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest value being made up of 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 lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.
While it seems complex at the outset, after a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an exciting collection of betting options and seeing that you have several players shooting for the high, along with several shooting for the low. If you like a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha hi low.