Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting follows in which players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of betting ensues. After all the players have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another round of betting happens at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players can get flustered. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can be every player’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 2 ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same concept in nearly all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
Although it seems complicated initially, following a few hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the base subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting array of betting possibilities and because you have many individuals trying for the high hand, and several shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha hi/low.