Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but favored poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The entrants will have to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few players often get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in just about all poker games.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that 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 low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem complex at first, following a couple of rounds you will be able to get the base nuances of play simply enough. Since you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing array of wagering options and because you have many individuals battling for the high hand, along with several shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to play Omaha hi lo.