Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha hi/lo starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A round of betting follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. After all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants can get baffled. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same notion in almost every poker game.
A low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. 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 high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
While it seems complex at the outset, following a few hands you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of the game simply enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an exciting assortment of wagering possibilities and because you have numerous players trying for the high hand, and a few battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.
