Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but favored poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better starts just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A round of wagering follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical approach in almost every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the lowest value 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 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.
While it seems difficult at the outset, after a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the base subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi lo provides an amazing array of betting options and seeing that you have several individuals shooting for the high, and a few shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.