Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but popular 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 increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players can get confused. Contrasted to Hold’em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular 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 hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same approach in just about all poker games.
The low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.
Although it seems complicated initially, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the basic nuances of play with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing assortment of betting choices and seeing that you have many individuals shooting for the high, as well as a few battling for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.