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

Omaha Hi-Lo begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A round of betting follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. One more round of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some players get flustered. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical notion in just about all poker games.

The lower hand is more complex, but really 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. 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 below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.

It may seem complex initially, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the base nuances of play with ease. Since you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming range of wagering choices and because you have several players shooting for the high, along with many shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.