Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen 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 invisible variation, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of betting ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is revealed. The players will need to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where some entrants often get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must use exactly three cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher 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 is the very same approach in just about every poker game.
The lower hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand wins the entire pot.
It may seem complicated at first, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the base subtleties of the game with ease. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha hi-low offers an exciting array of betting possibilities and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, along with many shooting for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha hi/low.