Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha hi low starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues where players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to make the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few players can get baffled. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in just about every poker game.
The lower hand is more complex, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could 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 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.
Although it seems complex at the outset, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an overwhelming assortment of betting choices and seeing that you have numerous players battling for the high hand, along with many shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.