Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha/8 starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The players will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players often get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same concept in nearly all poker games.
The low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems complex initially, after a few hands you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an amazing range of betting options and owing to the fact that you have several individuals trying for the high hand, and a few trying for the low. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.