Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has grown in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A round of wagering ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of players can get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same approach in nearly all poker games.
A low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.
Although it seems complicated initially, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha hi/lo provides an exciting array of wagering options and because you have numerous players shooting for the high hand, as well as a few shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha Hi-Lo.