Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A round of wagering ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of wagering ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The players will have to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many entrants get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical approach in nearly all poker games.

A lower hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, 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 low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.

It may seem difficult initially, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming array of wagering choices and seeing that you have several individuals battling for the high, as well as several battling for the low hand. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.