Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has grown in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha/8 starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of betting follows where players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players often get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same approach in almost every poker game.
A lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
It may seem complex at the start, following a few rounds you will be able to get the basic subtleties of the game with ease. Since you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha hi low provides an exciting assortment of betting options and owing to the fact that you have many players trying for the high hand, as well as a few trying for the low. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.