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 chief reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further round of betting happens. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants can get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. 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 just what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical notion in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem difficult at the start, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic subtleties of the game simply enough. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha High-Low provides an overwhelming array of wagering possibilities and because you have several individuals trying for the high hand, and a few shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.