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 regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha hi-low begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A round of wagering follows where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The players will need to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants get confused. Unlike Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must utilize precisely three cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same concept in just about every poker game.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the whole pot.
While it seems difficult at the start, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better offers an overwhelming array of wagering possibilities and owing to the fact that you have several players battling for the high hand, and several battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha hi-low.