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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 game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round 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 wagering ensues. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where some players get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical concept in nearly every poker game.

A low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the entire pot.

While it seems complicated at first, following a couple of rounds you will be able to get the base nuances of play with ease. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting range of wagering possibilities and because you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, as well as a few trying for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.