Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha Hi-Lo starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering follows where players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another round of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further round of wagering happens at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants can get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use precisely three cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same concept in just about all poker games.
A low hand is more difficult, but certainly opens 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 made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.
While it seems complicated initially, after a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting array of betting choices and seeing that you have many individuals trying for the high, as well as a few shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha/8.