Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha hi/low starts like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some entrants can get confused. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use exactly 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 can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the best 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 low hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem complex at the start, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the basic subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting array of wagering options and because you have several players battling for the high, and a few trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.