Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha hi low starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The players will have to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some entrants get flustered. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize exactly three cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same concept in nearly all poker games.

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

While it seems difficult at the outset, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game simply enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better provides an exciting collection of betting choices and owing to the fact that you have several individuals battling for the high hand, as well as many shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.