Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further round of wagering happens at which point the river card is revealed. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players can get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the identical approach in just about every poker game.
The low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
Although it seems complex initially, following a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Since you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 offers an amazing collection of betting options and owing to the fact that you have numerous players trying for the high, and a few trying for the low hand. If you love a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.