Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better starts just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many entrants can get confused. Unlike Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same concept in just about every poker game.
A low hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the entire pot.
Although it seems difficult initially, following a couple of rounds you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting range of betting possibilities and owing to the fact that you have several individuals battling for the high hand, and many shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha hi/lo.