Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but favored poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another round of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some players get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in nearly all poker games.
The lower hand is more complicated, 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 could be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
While it seems complicated initially, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of the game easily enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing collection of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, along with several trying for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.