Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players often get baffled. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to utilize precisely three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same approach in nearly all poker games.
The low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the worst being 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 8 and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
While it seems complicated at first, after a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the base subtleties of the game with ease. Since you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 provides an amazing collection of wagering options and because you have many individuals battling for the high, along with a few shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.