Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of wagering happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering follows at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where some players often get confused. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical concept in almost every poker game.
The lower hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand takes the whole pot.
While it seems difficult initially, following a few hands you will be able to get the base nuances of the game with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha hi low offers an overwhelming range of betting options and owing to the fact that you have many players battling for the high, and many battling for the low. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha hi lo.