Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but favored 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 obscure game, has increased in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A round of betting ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. After all the players have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of wagering follows at which point the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where a few players can get flustered. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to use precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in nearly every poker game.
A low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.
Although it seems complex at the start, following a few hands you will be agile enough to get the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting range of wagering choices and seeing that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, and many trying for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha hi lo.