Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha/8 starts like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another round of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further round of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a number of entrants can get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize exactly three cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest 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 low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest value 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 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.

Although it seems difficult at the outset, after a few hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the base nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi low provides an overwhelming collection of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have several individuals battling for the high hand, as well as several battling for the low. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha hi-low.