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

Omaha/8 starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some players often get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in nearly all poker games.

The lower hand is more difficult, 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 can be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand wins the complete pot.

It may seem complicated initially, after a few hands you will be agile enough to get the fundamental subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting assortment of wagering possibilities and because you have numerous individuals trying for the high hand, and a few trying for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha High-Low.