Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha hi-low starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A round of wagering ensues where players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is revealed. The entrants will need to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players often get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to utilize exactly three cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same approach in just about every poker game.
The lower hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the action. When figuring out 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 A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand wins the entire pot.
Although it seems complicated at the outset, after a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming assortment of betting choices and because you have numerous players shooting for the high hand, and a few battling for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.