Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently 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 all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha/8 starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is revealed. The entrants will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where a number of players often get baffled. Contrasted to Hold’em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to use exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to 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 is the strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same concept in almost all poker games.
The low hand is more complex, but really opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand wins the whole pot.
It may seem difficult at the start, following a few hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the base nuances of the game with ease. 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 offers an overwhelming assortment of wagering possibilities and because you have many players shooting for the high hand, as well as a few battling for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha High-Low.