Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows where players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some players can get baffled. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same notion in almost every poker game.
The lower hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
Although it seems complex initially, following a few hands you will be able to get the base nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as 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 offers an exciting range of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals battling for the high hand, along with several trying for the low hand. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha/8.