Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another round of betting ensues and then the river card is revealed. The entrants will need to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players often get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular 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 every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same approach in just about all poker games.
A low hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand wins the entire pot.
It may seem complex at the outset, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the base subtleties of the game simply enough. Since you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha High-Low offers an amazing assortment of wagering options and seeing that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, as well as a few trying for the low. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.