Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but favored 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 variation, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. After all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will need to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few players often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just 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, etc. It is the very same notion in nearly every poker game.
A lower hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the play. 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 made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.
Although it seems difficult initially, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi/low provides an overwhelming range of betting options and because you have several players trying for the high hand, as well as many battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha hi low.