Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha 8 or better starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows where players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of wagering ensues. Once all the players have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering happens at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some entrants get confused. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the identical concept in just about every poker game.
The lower hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
While it seems complicated at the start, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people 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 overwhelming range of wagering options and because you have numerous players shooting for the high hand, along with many shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.