Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant game, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha hi/low starts just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of wagering happens. After all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players can get baffled. Unlike Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to use precisely three cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical notion in almost all poker games.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.
While it seems complex at first, after a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing range of wagering options and seeing that you have several individuals trying for the high, along with several trying for the low. If you love a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.