Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another round of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further round of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants often get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize precisely three cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in just about all poker games.
A lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the whole pot.
Although it seems difficult at the start, after a few hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi lo provides an amazing array of betting choices and owing to the fact that you have several players battling for the high, along with many shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.