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 variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round of wagering follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. One more round of betting ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of wagering follows at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants can get confused. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must use exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same approach in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem complicated initially, following a couple of rounds you will be able to get the base nuances of play simply enough. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an amazing array of wagering choices and seeing that you have numerous players trying for the high hand, along with a few shooting for the low. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha hi/lo.