Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of betting ensues and then the river card is revealed. The players will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players can get flustered. Unlike Hold’em, in which 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 two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same notion in nearly every poker game.
A low hand is more complex, but really free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
Although it seems complicated initially, following a few hands you will be able to get the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming assortment of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have numerous players battling for the high hand, and a few battling for the low hand. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha/8.