Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many players get confused. Contrasted to Hold’em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

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

The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest 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 lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.

It may seem complicated at the start, after a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the fundamental nuances of the game simply enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha hi low provides an exciting array of wagering possibilities and because you have several individuals trying for the high, along with many battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.