Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. After all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering happens at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of players often get confused. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same concept in almost all poker games.
A lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 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 low hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem difficult at the outset, following a few hands you will be agile enough to get the fundamental nuances of play easily enough. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing assortment of wagering options and because you have many players shooting for the high, along with many battling for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.