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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but favored poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in popularity so quickly.

Omaha 8 or better begins 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 fold. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another round of wagering happens. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many entrants often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must utilize precisely three cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same approach in almost every poker game.

The low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as 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 8 and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

While it seems complicated initially, following a few hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the base nuances of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha High-Low provides an exciting array of wagering choices and seeing that you have numerous players trying for the high hand, and many trying for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.