Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. Another round of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The players will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some entrants often get baffled. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must use precisely three cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the identical concept in almost every poker game.
The low hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems complex initially, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the base subtleties of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi low offers an overwhelming collection of betting options and seeing that you have many individuals battling for the high hand, along with many shooting for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha/8.