Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha hi lo starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The players will have to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some players often get baffled. Contrasted to Hold’em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same approach in nearly all poker games.
A lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
Although it seems difficult at the outset, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha hi-low offers an amazing collection of betting choices and owing to the fact that you have many players battling for the high hand, as well as many trying for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha 8 or better.