Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A round of wagering follows where players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens at which point the river card is revealed. The players will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of players get baffled. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same concept in almost all poker games.
A low hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems complicated at the start, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to get the basic subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 offers an exciting range of wagering options and seeing that you have several individuals battling for the high, as well as a few shooting for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.