Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. One more sequence of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting follows at which point the river card is revealed. The players will have to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to use exactly three cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in nearly every poker game.
The low hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand takes the whole pot.
It may seem difficult at first, after a few hands you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming array of betting choices and because you have numerous individuals trying for the high, and many shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.