Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has grown in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round of betting follows in which players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where many entrants often get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

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

The lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.

It may seem difficult at the outset, after a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an overwhelming range of wagering possibilities and owing to the fact that you have many individuals trying for the high, as well as many trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha 8 or better.