Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complex but popular poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha/8 begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. After all the players have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where some entrants often get confused. Unlike Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to utilize exactly three cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical notion in almost every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
While it seems complicated at the outset, after a few hands you will be agile enough to get the basic nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an amazing range of betting choices and because you have many players battling for the high, along with many shooting for the low. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi/lo.