Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of betting follows where players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is known as the flop. A further round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering happens at which point the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants can get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must use precisely three cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same notion in nearly all poker games.
A low hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower 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 is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems complex initially, after a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people betting 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 provides an amazing array of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have several players trying for the high hand, along with several shooting for the low. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha hi/low.