Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but favored poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant game, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha/8 starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to make the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players often get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use precisely three cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high 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. It is the same concept in just about every poker game.
The lower hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
While it seems complicated at the outset, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting range of betting options and because you have many individuals battling for the high hand, and a few shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.