Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker games. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha hi-low starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of wagering follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. After all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to utilize exactly three cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in just about every poker game.
A low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest 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 worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
Although it seems complex at the start, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to get the base subtleties of the game with ease. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming range of betting choices and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals battling for the high hand, along with several shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha hi lo.