Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting ensues where players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of betting follows at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many players get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical notion in almost all poker games.

The lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not 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 presented, the high hand takes the entire pot.

Although it seems complex at first, following a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of the game with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing array of betting possibilities and because you have many individuals battling for the high, and a few battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha 8 or better.