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 is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha hi/low starts just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A round of betting ensues where players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting happens and then the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of players get flustered. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card 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 is the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in almost all poker games.
A low hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as 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 below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem complex initially, after a few hands you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Since you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 provides an exciting assortment of betting choices and because you have numerous players trying for the high hand, along with a few shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha Hi-Lo.