Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further round of wagering happens at which point the river card is revealed. The players will have to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players can get confused. Unlike Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to use precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same concept in nearly all poker games.
A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem difficult at the outset, following a few rounds you will be able to get the base nuances of the game with ease. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi lo provides an overwhelming assortment of betting choices and because you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, and several shooting for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi/low.