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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues in which players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The players will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where many players get confused. Contrasted to Hold’em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

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

The lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the complete pot.

It may seem complicated at first, after a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing assortment of betting options and owing to the fact that you have several individuals battling for the high, as well as several trying for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha hi/low.