Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha Hi-Lo begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another round of betting happens. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering happens at which point the river card is revealed. The players will need to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use precisely three cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two 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 every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same approach in almost 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 can be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.
Although it seems complex initially, following a few hands you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming range of wagering options and seeing that you have numerous players trying for the high hand, as well as several trying for the low. If you like a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.