Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better starts just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round of wagering follows where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some players can get baffled. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must use precisely three cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same concept in almost every poker game.

A low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest 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 eight and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the complete pot.

It may seem complex initially, following a few hands you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming range of betting options and seeing that you have several players shooting for the high hand, along with many shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.