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’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few entrants get confused. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical concept in nearly every poker game.
A lower hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
While it seems complicated at the start, following a few hands you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing collection of betting options and seeing that you have many individuals battling for the high, and many shooting for the low hand. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha hi lo.