Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha hi/low starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players get confused. 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 from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same concept in just about all poker games.
A low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the worst being 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 low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.
Although it seems complicated at the start, following a few hands you will be able to get the base subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have individuals wagering 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 exciting array of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, and a few battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.