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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant game, has grown in acceptance so quickly.

Omaha hi/low starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round of wagering ensues where players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering happens at which point the river card is revealed. The players will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where many players often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal 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 strongest hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same notion in almost every poker game.

The low hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the complete pot.

While it seems complex at the start, after a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of the game with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha hi low offers an exciting array of betting possibilities and because you have several players shooting for the high hand, as well as several trying for the low hand. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.