Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant game, has increased in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of betting follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the identical concept in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand wins the whole pot.
It may seem difficult at the start, after a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the base nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an exciting assortment of betting possibilities and seeing that you have several individuals battling for the high, and a few shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha hi lo.