Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The players will have to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players often get baffled. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical approach in almost all poker games.
A low hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.
It may seem complicated at the outset, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting array of betting options and because you have many individuals shooting for the high hand, as well as several trying for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.