Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of betting follows where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. One more round of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize exactly three cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical concept in almost every poker game.
The low hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem complex at the start, after a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Since you have players 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 overwhelming collection of wagering options and because you have several individuals trying 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 is worth your time to play Omaha/8.