Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering follows where players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to use precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same concept in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
Although it seems difficult at first, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha Hi-Lo provides an exciting collection of betting choices and because you have many individuals battling for the high, as well as several battling for the low hand. If you like a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.