Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A round of wagering follows in which players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering happens at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants can get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same approach in nearly every poker game.
A low hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
While it seems difficult at first, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the base subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming range of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have numerous individuals battling for the high, along with many battling for the low. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.