Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A round of wagering follows where players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering follows at which point the river card is flipped. The players will have to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players often get confused. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same notion in just about every poker game.
A low hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because 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 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem complicated at the start, after a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play easily enough. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi/lo offers an amazing assortment of betting options and seeing that you have several players trying for the high hand, as well as many shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha hi low.