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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better begins like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A round of betting ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering follows at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where some players often get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in nearly all poker games.

A low hand is more complex, but really free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, 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 value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the whole pot.

Although it seems difficult at the start, following a couple of hands you will be agile enough to get the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing range of betting options and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals trying for the high hand, along with many battling for the low hand. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.