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 game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting ensues in which players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of wagering happens at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some entrants get baffled. Unlike Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same notion in nearly every poker game.
The lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.
While it seems complex at the start, following a couple of rounds you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 provides an amazing range of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have several players battling for the high hand, as well as several shooting for the low hand. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha hi/low.