Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha Hi-Lo starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering follows where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will need to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants often get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in just about all poker games.
A low hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. 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 lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not 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 low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand wins the entire pot.
It may seem complicated at first, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the base subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing collection of betting options and because you have several players trying for the high, along with a few shooting for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi-low.