Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but favored poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of betting follows in which players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. Once all the players have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further round of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The entrants will need to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where many players can get flustered. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize exactly three cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical notion in almost every poker game.
A low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can 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 lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem complex at the start, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an amazing assortment of betting choices and because you have numerous players shooting for the high hand, and a few trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.