Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. A further round of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some players can get baffled. Unlike 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 two hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly how it sounds. 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 all poker games.

A low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.

While it seems complex initially, after a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the fundamental nuances of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi low offers an amazing assortment of betting possibilities and seeing that you have several players battling for the high hand, and a few shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha 8 or better.