Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha hi lo begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues in which players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another round of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of betting happens at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of players get baffled. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same concept in nearly every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest value 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 low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.
Although it seems complex at first, after a few hands you will be agile enough to get the fundamental subtleties of the game with ease. Since you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an amazing array of betting possibilities and because you have many individuals trying for the high hand, as well as several trying for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.