Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A round of betting follows in which players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. One more round of wagering happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where a few entrants often get baffled. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower 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’s the same concept in just about every poker game.

The lower hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could 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 smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand takes the whole pot.

It may seem difficult at the outset, following a couple of rounds you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha hi low offers an exciting array of wagering possibilities and because you have many individuals shooting for the high hand, as well as many battling for the low hand. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.