Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. After all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering happens at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of entrants can get baffled. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must utilize precisely three cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same concept in nearly all poker games.
A lower hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, 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 lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the complete pot.
It may seem complex at first, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing range of betting possibilities and because you have many individuals trying for the high, along with several trying for the low. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.