Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues where players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting ensues and then the river card is revealed. The entrants will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must utilize precisely three cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same approach in just about every poker game.
The low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since 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 low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
Although it seems complex initially, following a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the base subtleties of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi/lo offers an amazing assortment of wagering possibilities and because you have many players trying for the high hand, as well as a few shooting for the low. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.