Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.

Omaha 8 or better starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting ensues where players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering happens and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a few entrants can get baffled. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to utilize precisely three cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same approach in just about all poker games.

The lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the lowest value 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 low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.

Although it seems complicated at the start, after a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the basic subtleties of the game simply enough. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing range of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have many players battling for the high hand, along with many trying for the low. If you like a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.