Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha hi lo starts just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. After all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering happens at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of players can get baffled. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use precisely three cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same notion in almost all poker games.
The low hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand takes the entire pot.
Although it seems complex at the outset, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing range of wagering options and seeing that you have many players shooting for the high hand, along with a few trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to play Omaha hi lo.