Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of betting follows at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players often get baffled. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same approach in just about every poker game.
The low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
While it seems difficult at the outset, following a couple of rounds you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 offers an amazing range of betting possibilities and because you have several players shooting for the high, as well as many battling for the low. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha Hi-Lo.