Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering follows where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The players will have to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where some entrants get flustered. Contrasted to Hold’em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to 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’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same approach in almost every poker game.

A lower hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might 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 worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.

It may seem complex initially, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the base subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting collection of wagering options and because you have several players battling for the high hand, as well as many shooting for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha/8.