Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in popularity so quickly.

Omaha/8 starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of wagering ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a few entrants can get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same approach in almost all poker games.

The low hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.

Although it seems difficult at first, following a couple of hands you will be able to get the basic nuances of play with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing assortment of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have numerous players shooting for the high, and a few shooting for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha hi-low.