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

Omaha/8 starts just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of betting follows where players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another round of wagering happens. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering follows at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where many players get flustered. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

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

The low 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 worst hand that can be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

While it seems complex at the outset, following a few hands you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an amazing collection of wagering possibilities and because you have many individuals trying for the high hand, as well as a few battling for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.