Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha hi/low starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few players often get flustered. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical concept in almost all poker games.
A low hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Since 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 below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
Although it seems difficult at first, after a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the fundamental subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 provides an amazing range of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have many individuals shooting for the high hand, along with several shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.
