Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It is 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 expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of betting ensues. After all the players have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some entrants often get confused. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must use precisely three cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same approach in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more complex, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.
Although it seems complicated at first, after a few hands you will be able to get the base subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 provides an amazing range of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have many players battling for the high, and a few battling for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.