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 game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha hi low begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of betting follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where many players get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use exactly three cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same concept in almost all poker games.
A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem complicated at the start, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 offers an amazing assortment of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have several individuals battling for the high, and several shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.