Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has increased in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha/8 begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of betting ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. One more sequence of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows at which point the river card is flipped. The players will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where many entrants get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

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

A lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the worst 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 lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand wins the entire pot.

While it seems complex initially, after a few hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the base nuances of play easily enough. Since you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming range of wagering options and seeing that you have numerous individuals trying for the high, along with a few battling for the low. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha/8.