Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants often get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to use precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same approach in just about all poker games.
The low hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that 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 lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem complex at first, after a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of play easily enough. Since you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi-low offers an overwhelming array of wagering choices and seeing that you have numerous individuals trying for the high, as well as many trying for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.