Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round of betting follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of wagering ensues. After all the players have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many entrants often get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must utilize precisely three cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical concept in nearly every poker game.

A low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.

It may seem complex at first, following a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing collection of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have many players battling for the high, as well as a few trying for the low. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.