Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant game, has grown in popularity so quickly.

Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of betting happens at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers 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 players get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to utilize exactly three cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, no 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’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same notion in just about every poker game.

The low hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that can be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.

While it seems complex at the start, after a couple of hands you will be able to get the basic subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 offers an exciting range of wagering choices and seeing that you have many players shooting for the high, and a few battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.