Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A round of wagering follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of players get baffled. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem complex at first, following a few hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Since you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming collection of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have many individuals shooting for the high, along with several battling for the low. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha High-Low.