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 regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha Hi-Lo starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. A further round of wagering happens. After all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where many players can get flustered. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use precisely three cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical approach in nearly every poker game.
The low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
It may seem complicated initially, following a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of play easily enough. Since you have players 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 or better provides an amazing array of betting choices and owing to the fact that you have several individuals shooting for the high, as well as several battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha hi/low.