Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but popular poker games. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting happens at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of players often get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical concept in nearly every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower 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 available, the high hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem complex at first, following a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an exciting array of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have many players battling for the high hand, and a few shooting for the low. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.