Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.

Omaha/8 starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting follows at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where a number of entrants get confused. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same approach in nearly every poker game.

The lower hand is more complex, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.

It may seem complicated at first, following a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of the game simply enough. Since you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming array of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, as well as several shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.