Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. One more sequence of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The entrants will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players can get flustered. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize exactly three cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly 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 is the same concept in almost every poker game.
A low hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. 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 high hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.
While it seems difficult initially, after a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of the game simply enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha hi-low offers an exciting range of wagering choices and because you have several players battling for the high hand, along with a few shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha High-Low.