Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. a further round of wagering follows at which point the river card is flipped. The players will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players get baffled. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same concept in almost all poker games.
The low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because 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 lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
Although it seems difficult at the outset, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the basic subtleties of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an exciting array of betting choices and seeing that you have several individuals battling for the high, along with many trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.