Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha hi/lo begins like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A round of betting ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some entrants get flustered. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to use precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.
While it seems difficult at first, following a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play easily enough. Since you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an amazing assortment of betting options and because you have numerous individuals trying for the high hand, along with a few battling for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha/8.