Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha hi/low starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting follows where players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some entrants can get confused. Contrasted to Hold’em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use exactly three cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same approach in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that 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 eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems difficult at first, after a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play simply enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an exciting assortment of wagering choices and because you have numerous players shooting for the high, and many shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi-low.