Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed 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 all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant game, has increased in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A round of betting ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting follows at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some entrants get baffled. Unlike Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. 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 "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in just about all poker games.
A lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem complicated at the start, following a few hands you will be able to get the base nuances of the game with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi/lo offers an amazing collection of betting options and seeing that you have many individuals trying for the high, along with many battling for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha hi/low.