Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has grown in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha hi lo begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A round of betting ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further round of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some players often get confused. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same concept in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems complicated at the start, after a couple of hands you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing collection of betting choices and seeing that you have several players battling for the high, as well as a few shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.