Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant game, has grown in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. One more round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where many players often get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same approach in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.
Although it seems difficult at first, following a few hands you will be able to get the basic subtleties of play with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an exciting array of betting possibilities and seeing that you have several players shooting for the high hand, as well as several trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha 8 or better.