Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering follows where players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. a further round of betting follows and then the river card is flipped. The players will have to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some entrants often get flustered. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card 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 possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same notion in almost every poker game.
A low hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
While it seems difficult at the start, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic nuances of play easily enough. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting collection of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have many individuals trying for the high hand, along with several shooting for the low. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.