Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants can get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to use precisely three cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in almost every poker game.
The lower hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems difficult at the outset, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have people 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 provides an amazing assortment of wagering possibilities and owing to the fact that you have several individuals trying for the high hand, and many trying for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.