Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha hi lo starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering happens and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few players get confused. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize precisely three cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in just about all poker games.
A lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can 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 lowest possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems complicated initially, after a few rounds you will be able to get the base nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi low offers an exciting assortment of betting possibilities and seeing that you have several players shooting for the high, as well as a few battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha hi lo.