Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further round of betting happens at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants can get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same approach in almost all poker games.
The low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as 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 eight and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
While it seems difficult initially, after a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the basic nuances of the game with ease. Since you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha hi/low provides an overwhelming collection of wagering options and seeing that you have several individuals battling for the high hand, and several shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha/8.