Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has grown in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better starts like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. One more sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further round of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players get confused. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use precisely three cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same approach in nearly all poker games.
A low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand takes the whole pot.
Although it seems complex at first, following a few hands you will be able to get the basic subtleties of play with ease. Since you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting array of wagering choices and because you have several players shooting for the high, along with several shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.