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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has increased in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering happens. After all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some players get flustered. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same concept in just about all poker games.

The lower hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.

It may seem complicated at the start, after a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi lo offers an amazing range of wagering choices and seeing that you have numerous players trying for the high hand, along with several trying for the low. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.