Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A sequence of betting follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering happens at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants often get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same concept in just about all poker games.
The low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem complex initially, following a few hands you will be agile enough to get the fundamental subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an exciting range of wagering options and seeing that you have many players trying for the high, and many battling for the low. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.