Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A sequence of wagering follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. a further round of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where some players get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same concept in almost all poker games.
A lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that can 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 value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem complicated at the start, following a few hands you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing range of betting choices and seeing that you have many players shooting for the high hand, and many trying for the low hand. If you love a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.