Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. a further round of wagering happens and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players often get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use precisely three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same concept in nearly all poker games.
The lower hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems difficult initially, following a couple of rounds you will be able to get the base subtleties of the game with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing range of wagering options and because you have numerous players battling for the high, and several battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.