Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has grown in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha hi-low starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A round of betting ensues where players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. Once all the players have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt 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 entrants get flustered. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in just about all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since 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 below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.
While it seems complicated at the start, after a few hands you will be agile enough to get the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Since you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming assortment of betting possibilities and owing to the fact that you have many individuals battling for the high hand, as well as many shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.