Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but popular poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha/8 starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players can get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must use precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same concept in just about every poker game.
The lower hand is more complex, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not 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 below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem difficult at the start, after a couple of hands you will be able to get the basic subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha High-Low offers an amazing collection of betting possibilities and seeing that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, and many trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha hi-low.