Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It is a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has increased in popularity so quickly.

Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further round of betting ensues. After all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some players can get baffled. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use exactly three cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same approach in just about every poker game.

The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the entire pot.

While it seems complex at the start, following a few hands you will be agile enough to get the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming array of betting possibilities and because you have numerous players shooting for the high, as well as many trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha hi low.