Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players often get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use exactly three cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same approach in almost all poker games.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really opens 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. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems complex at first, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of the game with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha hi lo provides an overwhelming assortment of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have numerous players shooting for the high hand, along with a few shooting for the low. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.