Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. 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 invisible variation, has grown in popularity so rapidly.
Omaha 8 or better begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering follows at which point the river card is revealed. The players will need to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is where some entrants can get flustered. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use precisely three cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two 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 hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same approach in almost all poker games.
A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
While it seems difficult initially, after a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the basic subtleties of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an exciting range of betting choices and because you have numerous players battling for the high, and many shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.