Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering happens at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use exactly three cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in just about every poker game.
The low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as 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 eight and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems complicated at first, after a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of play easily enough. Since you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi lo offers an exciting range of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have numerous players shooting for the high, along with many shooting 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 play Omaha hi/lo.