Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha Hi-Lo begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A round of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players can get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same approach in almost every poker game.
The lower hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
It may seem complicated initially, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha hi lo offers an exciting assortment of betting choices and owing to the fact that you have several individuals trying for the high, and several battling for the low hand. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.