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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A round of betting follows where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some entrants can get confused. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must use precisely three cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

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

The lower hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.

It may seem complex at the outset, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha High-Low provides an amazing collection of wagering possibilities and because you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, as well as a few shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi/low.