Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha hi/lo begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another round of betting ensues. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another round of betting ensues and then the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where a few players often get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical approach in just about all poker games.

The low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the lowest 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 lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.

It may seem complex at the outset, after a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the basic nuances of play simply enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting assortment of betting choices and because you have numerous players battling for the high, as well as a few shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.