Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of betting ensues where players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants get flustered. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to utilize precisely three cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in nearly all poker games.
The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem complicated at the start, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming range of betting choices and seeing that you have several individuals trying for the high hand, along with many trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha hi/lo.