Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A round of wagering follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The players will have to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants can get confused. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly two 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 "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the identical approach in nearly every poker game.
The low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
While it seems complicated at the outset, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the base nuances of the game with ease. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha hi/low provides an amazing range of wagering options and because you have numerous individuals battling 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 not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.