Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha hi/lo begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of betting ensues. After all the players have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. a further round of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where many players get confused. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in nearly all poker games.

A low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that could 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 possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.

While it seems complicated at the outset, following a couple of rounds 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 wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing array of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have several players shooting for the high hand, as well as several battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.