Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of wagering happens. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to make the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants get baffled. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in almost all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem complex initially, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an overwhelming array of betting choices and owing to the fact that you have several individuals shooting for the high hand, and a few shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha hi lo.