Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The players will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few players often get baffled. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical approach in almost all poker games.
The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest 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 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
It may seem complex at the start, after a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Since you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi-low offers an exciting array of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have many individuals trying for the high, along with a few shooting for the low. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.