Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but favored poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of wagering follows where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further round of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few players can get confused. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must use precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same notion in nearly all poker games.
A lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five 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 presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem difficult at first, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of the game simply enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an overwhelming array of wagering possibilities and because you have many players trying for the high hand, as well as several trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.