Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further round of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where a number of entrants often get confused. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same approach in almost all poker games.

The low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

It may seem difficult at the start, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of play simply enough. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 provides an exciting collection of betting options and because you have several individuals battling for the high hand, as well as several trying 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 hi/low.