Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha/8 starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is known as the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants can get flustered. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same notion in almost all poker games.
A lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as 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 low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand wins the entire pot.
Although it seems complicated at the outset, following a few hands you will be able to get the base subtleties of play simply 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 or better offers an exciting array of wagering possibilities and because you have several players battling for the high hand, along with a few trying for the low. 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.