Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of betting happens at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to make the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants get baffled. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical notion in almost all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. 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. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems complicated at the start, after a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the fundamental nuances of the game easily enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an amazing range of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have numerous players shooting for the high, and many trying for the low. If you like a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha hi lo.