Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha hi lo starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues where players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of betting follows and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants can get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same approach in just about every poker game.
A lower hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.
It may seem complicated initially, after a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic subtleties of the game easily enough. Since you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing array of betting choices and because you have several individuals shooting for the high, as well as many trying for the low. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.