Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some players get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must use precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in nearly every poker game.
A lower hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems difficult initially, after a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the base nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha Hi-Lo provides an overwhelming collection of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have many individuals battling for the high hand, as well as many battling for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.