Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a few entrants often get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use exactly three cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can 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, etc. It is the same notion in nearly every poker game.
The low hand is more complicated, 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 could be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem difficult at the start, following a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the basic nuances of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming range of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals battling for the high, along with a few shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.