Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha hi/lo starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A round of betting ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants get flustered. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may 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 every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same notion in just about every poker game.
A low hand is more complex, 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 can be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Because 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 eight and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem complex at first, after a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic nuances of the game with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming range of betting possibilities and seeing that you have several individuals battling for the high hand, and several battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.