Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of betting follows where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is known as the flop. Another round of wagering ensues. After all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. a further round of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players can get confused. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize precisely three cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same approach in nearly all poker games.
A low hand is more complex, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might 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 smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems difficult at first, after a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Since you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi lo offers an amazing collection of wagering choices and because you have several players trying for the high, and many battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha High-Low.