Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has grown in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of players get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same notion in almost all poker games.
A low hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the worst being 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 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem difficult at first, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as 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 the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting assortment of betting choices and seeing that you have numerous individuals trying for the high hand, as well as several battling for the low. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha 8 or better.
