Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has increased in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting ensues in which players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. One more sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the players have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some players get baffled. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly 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 notion in just about every poker game.
A low hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low 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 is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
It may seem difficult at first, after a few hands you will be agile enough to get the basic nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an exciting assortment of betting options and seeing that you have several individuals battling for the high hand, as well as several shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.