Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha hi lo starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of wagering ensues. After all the players have in turn called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few players can get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same concept in almost all poker games.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem difficult at the outset, following a few hands you will be able to get the base nuances of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha High-Low provides an amazing array of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals battling for the high, and many trying for the low. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.