Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure game, has grown in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha hi-low begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players often get confused. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in nearly every poker game.
A lower hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst 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 smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem difficult at the outset, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of the game simply enough. Since you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting range of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, along with a few trying for the low. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.