Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of betting follows where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. After all the players 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 flipped. The gamblers will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a few entrants often get flustered. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same concept in nearly all poker games.
A low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems complicated at first, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the fundamental subtleties of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming collection of wagering choices and because you have numerous individuals trying for the high hand, along with many shooting for the low. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.