Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex 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 invisible game, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha hi lo starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. After all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows at which point the river card is flipped. The players will need to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of players get baffled. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to utilize exactly three cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical concept in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that 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 high hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
Although it seems difficult at the start, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the basic subtleties of play with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an exciting range of betting options and owing to the fact that you have several individuals trying for the high, and many shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.