Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but favored poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha hi/lo begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of betting happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some entrants get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in almost all poker games.
The lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem complex at the outset, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the base subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an amazing assortment of wagering possibilities and because you have several individuals battling for the high hand, along with several trying for the low hand. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.