Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha hi/lo begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A round of betting follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering happens and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few players often get confused. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to utilize precisely three cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in just about every poker game.
The low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be put together, 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 value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand takes the whole pot.
While it seems complex at the outset, following a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of play simply enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming range of betting choices and seeing that you have many individuals trying for the high hand, and a few battling for the low hand. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha hi lo.