Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a few entrants get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical approach in just about all poker games.
A lower hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems complex initially, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Since you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing range of wagering possibilities and because you have numerous players shooting for the high, as well as several shooting for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.