Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha Hi-Lo begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering follows where players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants get confused. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same notion in nearly all poker games.
A low hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low 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 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 smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
Although it seems difficult at the start, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the basic nuances of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an amazing assortment of betting possibilities and because you have several players battling for the high hand, and a few shooting for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.