Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A round of wagering follows where players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a few entrants can get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize precisely three cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical concept in just about every poker game.
A low hand is more complicated, but really 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 worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since 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 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems complicated initially, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha Hi-Lo offers an overwhelming collection of betting possibilities and because you have several players shooting for the high, along with many battling for the low hand. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.