Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but popular poker games. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha hi low begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of betting follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of betting happens at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will need to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants can get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize exactly three cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same approach in just about all poker games.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem complex at the outset, after a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of the game with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting collection of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have numerous players battling for the high, along with several trying for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.