Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but favored poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha hi-low begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. One more round of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens at which point 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 a number of entrants get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize precisely three cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

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

A low hand is more complex, but really opens 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 put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t 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 low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the complete pot.

Although it seems difficult initially, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of play with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming assortment of wagering possibilities and owing to the fact that you have many players trying for the high, along with several trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha hi-low.