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

Omaha Hi-Lo starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A round of betting follows in which players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering follows at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to make 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 confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same notion in almost every poker game.

A low hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the complete pot.

While it seems complex at first, following a few hands you will be able to get the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing collection of betting possibilities and owing to the fact that you have many players battling for the high, as well as several trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.