Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has grown in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of wagering follows where players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens and then the river card is revealed. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some players often get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use precisely three cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same approach in nearly all poker games.
A low hand is more complex, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest being 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 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem difficult at the outset, following a few hands you will be agile enough to get the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting range of betting possibilities and because you have several individuals shooting for the high, along with several battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha hi-low.