Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha hi lo starts just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A round of betting ensues where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another round of wagering happens. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants often get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must use exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same concept in almost every poker game.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the worst 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 eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand takes the entire pot.
While it seems difficult initially, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic nuances of the game with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming array of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have many players shooting for the high, as well as a few trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.