Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting follows at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players get flustered. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card 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 how it sounds. 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 just about all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When figuring out 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. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem difficult at first, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of the game simply enough. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing assortment of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have numerous individuals trying for the high, and many trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.