Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant game, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha Hi-Lo begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. Once all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting follows at which point the river card is flipped. The players must attempt 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 often get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use precisely three cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same notion in just about every poker game.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem complicated at the start, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play easily enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha hi lo offers an exciting range of betting possibilities and because you have numerous individuals battling for the high, along with many shooting for the low hand. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha hi low.