Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha Hi-Lo starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can bet, check, or fold. 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, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will need to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants often get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same concept in almost every poker game.
The low hand is more complex, but really free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem complex initially, after a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the basic nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming range of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have several individuals battling for the high, along with a few shooting for the low. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha Hi-Lo.