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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting follows in which players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another round of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering happens at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a few players often get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize precisely three cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same approach in nearly every poker game.

A lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.

It may seem complicated initially, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming array of wagering possibilities and because you have numerous individuals trying for the high hand, along with many shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.