Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure game, has grown in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha hi/lo starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues where players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. a further round of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in almost all poker games.
A low hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems complicated initially, after a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better offers an overwhelming assortment of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have numerous players trying for the high hand, along with many shooting for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.