Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It’s 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 obscure game, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha hi/lo begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round of betting follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The entrants must attempt to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players often get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to utilize exactly three cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical concept in almost every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
While it seems complex at first, following a couple of rounds you will be able to get the basic nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming collection of wagering choices and seeing that you have many individuals trying for the high, and a few shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha/8.