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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 well-loved poker games. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better starts like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A round of wagering follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. One more round of wagering happens. After all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where some entrants can get confused. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might 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, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same approach in nearly every poker game.

A lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. 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. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

Although it seems complicated at first, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic nuances of the game simply enough. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha hi low offers an amazing collection of betting options and because you have several individuals trying for the high hand, as well as a few shooting for the low. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi low.