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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It’s 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 invisible variation, has grown in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha/8 starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting happens at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where many entrants can get confused. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the identical notion in nearly every poker game.

A lower hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

While it seems complicated at the outset, after a few hands you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing assortment of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have several individuals shooting for the high hand, and several trying for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.