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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha/8 starts like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where a few players can get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to utilize precisely three cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same notion in just about all poker games.

A low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand takes the whole pot.

Although it seems complex at first, following a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing collection of betting choices and seeing that you have several players shooting for the high, and several battling for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.