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 game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has increased in acceptance so quickly.
Omaha/8 starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting follows in which players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn 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 must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where a number of entrants get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card 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 is the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same concept in nearly every poker game.
A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest 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 low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.
It may seem difficult at the start, after a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi lo offers an exciting range of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, and several shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi low.