Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round of wagering ensues where players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of wagering happens. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is revealed. The entrants will have to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants can get flustered. Contrasted to Hold’em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same approach in nearly all poker games.
The lower hand is more complex, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could 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 five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem complicated at first, following a couple of hands you will be agile enough to get the base subtleties of the game simply enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an exciting range of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have many players trying for the high hand, along with many shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.