Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A round of wagering follows where players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of betting follows and then the river card is flipped. The players must attempt 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 get confused. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must utilize precisely three cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same notion in just about every poker game.
The lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
It may seem complex initially, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the base subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing collection of wagering possibilities and owing to the fact that you have many individuals trying for the high hand, as well as several shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha/8.