Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but favored poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha hi lo begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering follows in which players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another round of wagering happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further round of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants can get confused. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must utilize precisely three cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same approach in just about every poker game.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as 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 lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems complicated at the outset, following a few rounds you will be able to get the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing collection of wagering options and because you have several players shooting for the high, and a few battling for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi/lo.