Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha/8 starts like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. A further round of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. a further round of wagering follows at which point the river card is revealed. The players will have to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players often get baffled. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may 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 everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest 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 worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem difficult at the start, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi lo offers an amazing array of betting choices and owing to the fact that you have several individuals battling for the high hand, along with a few shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.