Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha hi lo begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. After all the players have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional 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 using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of players often get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical approach in nearly every poker game.
The low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems complex at first, after a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing assortment of wagering options and seeing that you have numerous individuals battling for the high hand, along with several trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.