Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved 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 irrelevant game, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better starts like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering happens at which point the river card is flipped. The players will have to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize exactly three cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same approach in almost every poker game.
A lower hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since 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 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
Although it seems complicated at first, after a few hands you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha hi lo offers an overwhelming range of betting choices and owing to the fact that you have numerous players shooting for the high hand, and many battling for the low hand. If you love a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha hi lo.