Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has grown in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A sequence of wagering follows where players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The entrants must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players get baffled. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same notion in nearly all poker games.
A low hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest value being made up of 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 eight and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems complex initially, after a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha hi lo provides an exciting array of betting possibilities and seeing that you have numerous players shooting for the high hand, along with a few shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.