Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another round of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants often get flustered. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical notion in almost all poker games.
A low hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.
Although it seems complex initially, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of the game easily enough. Since you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming array of betting choices and owing to the fact that you have numerous players battling for the high, as well as a few trying for the low hand. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.