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 game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will need to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few players can get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same notion in just about all poker games.
The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could 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 possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 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 wins the whole pot.
It may seem complicated at first, following a couple of hands you will be agile enough to get the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi/lo provides an exciting collection of betting options and because you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, along with many trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha 8 or better.