Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will need to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players get flustered. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to use precisely three cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in nearly all poker games.
The low hand is more complex, but really opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that can 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 five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems difficult at the outset, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the basic subtleties of play with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha hi-low provides an exciting collection of wagering options and seeing that you have many players battling for the high, along with a few shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha/8.
