Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. 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 obscure variation, has grown in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha hi lo starts like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of betting follows where players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. One more round of wagering happens. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering happens at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants will have to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same notion in just about every poker game.
The low hand is more complex, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest 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 high hand wins the entire pot.
It may seem complex at the start, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming array of wagering possibilities and because you have several players battling for the high hand, and several trying for the low. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.