Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but popular poker games. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting follows in which players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. After all the players have either called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The players will have to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants often get baffled. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, no 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 strongest hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical approach in just about every poker game.
The lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest 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 smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem complex initially, after a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing array of betting choices and because you have several individuals shooting for the high, as well as a few shooting 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 compete in Omaha 8 or better.