Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A round of wagering follows where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering follows at which point the river card is flipped. The players will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. 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’s the best hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the identical concept in nearly all poker games.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem difficult at the start, after a couple of hands you will be able to get the basic subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing array of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have many individuals shooting for the high hand, along with a few battling for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.