Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It is 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 invisible game, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha/8 begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. A further round of betting happens. After all the players have in turn called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players can get baffled. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical notion in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem difficult at the start, following a few hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming array of betting possibilities and because you have many individuals shooting for the high hand, along with many battling for the low. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha 8 or better.