Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues where players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. One more round of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another 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 using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 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 everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in almost all poker games.
The lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since 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 eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem difficult at the outset, after a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the base subtleties of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 offers an amazing collection of betting options and owing to the fact that you have numerous players trying for the high hand, and many shooting for the low. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.