Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but favored poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha/8 starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A round of betting ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. After all the players have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will have 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 confused. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use precisely three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same notion in nearly all poker games.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem difficult at the outset, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming array of betting choices and seeing that you have several individuals shooting for the high, along with several shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha/8.