Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of betting ensues in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another round of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. a further round of wagering follows at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants get baffled. Unlike Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low 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 same concept in almost all poker games.
The low hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
It may seem difficult at the outset, after a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an exciting assortment of betting possibilities and owing to the fact that you have many individuals shooting for the high, along with many trying for the low. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha hi-low.