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’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.
Omaha hi lo begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. Another round of betting happens at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a few players get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can 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, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in almost all poker games.
A lower hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Because 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 below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.
Although it seems complicated at first, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an amazing range of wagering choices and because you have several individuals battling for the high hand, as well as many trying for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.