Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha/8 starts just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The entrants 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 confused. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use precisely three cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical notion in just about every poker game.

A low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.

While it seems difficult at the outset, following a few hands you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting collection of betting possibilities and because you have many individuals shooting for the high, as well as a few trying for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.