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 variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of wagering happens. After all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting happens at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players can get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the best hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in just about every poker game.
The lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
Although it seems complicated at first, after a couple of hands you will be able to get the base subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing array of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have many individuals trying for the high hand, as well as a few shooting for the low. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha hi/lo.