Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha/8 starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A round of betting follows where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some entrants get flustered. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same concept in almost every poker game.
The low hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not 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 don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem difficult at the outset, after a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an exciting range of betting possibilities and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, and many battling for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.