Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of betting follows where players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of wagering ensues. After all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further round of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to use precisely three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same notion in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might 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 possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems complex at first, after a couple of hands you will be able to get the basic subtleties of the game simply enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha hi/lo provides an amazing range of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, along with a few shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha Hi-Lo.