Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues where players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. After all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The players will have to make the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a few entrants often get baffled. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same approach in almost all poker games.
A low hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Since 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 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem complex initially, after a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the basic nuances of the game simply enough. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha hi low provides an overwhelming array of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have several players shooting for the high, as well as a few shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.