Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another round of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering follows at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants get flustered. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical concept in almost every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the whole pot.
Although it seems difficult initially, after a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming collection of betting options and because you have several players trying for the high, and a few battling for the low. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.