Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but favored poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round of wagering follows in which players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players can get flustered. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly 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 "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical concept in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not 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 below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem complicated at the outset, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of play easily enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming collection of betting options and owing to the fact that you have several individuals trying for the high hand, as well as many shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.