Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha hi-low begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering follows where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of wagering ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will need to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must use exactly three cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two 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 strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical concept in just about all poker games.
A lower hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
Although it seems complex initially, after a few hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic nuances of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi/low offers an overwhelming range of betting options and seeing that you have many individuals trying for the high, and several shooting for the low hand. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.