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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.

Omaha hi-low starts just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another round of betting ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of betting follows at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants will need to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where a number of players often get flustered. Contrasted to Hold’em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same notion in nearly every poker game.

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

It may seem complicated at the start, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an amazing assortment of wagering options and seeing that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, as well as a few trying for the low. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.