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, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has increased in acceptance so quickly.

Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. One more sequence of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a few entrants can get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical notion in almost all poker games.

The lower hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.

Although it seems complex at the outset, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the basic nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting assortment of betting possibilities and because you have numerous players battling for the high, along with several shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.