Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has increased in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha/8 begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is known as the flop. One more round of wagering happens. After all the players have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The players will need to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players can get baffled. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use exactly three cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same approach in nearly all poker games.
The lower hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
Although it seems complicated initially, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming range of wagering choices and because you have several players trying for the high, as well as several shooting for the low. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.