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, invites play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha Hi-Lo begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of wagering happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some entrants can get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in just about every poker game.
A low hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. 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 lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand takes the entire pot.
While it seems complex initially, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to get the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming array of wagering choices and because you have several individuals battling for the high hand, as well as a few trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha/8.