Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows where players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants often get flustered. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same concept in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as 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 eight and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand wins the whole pot.
While it seems complex at first, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have players betting 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 collection of wagering choices and seeing that you have several individuals battling for the high hand, and a few shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha hi-low.