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

Omaha hi/lo starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A round of betting follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another round of betting happens. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many players often get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card 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 every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in nearly every poker game.

A low hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.

It may seem complicated initially, following a few rounds you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi lo offers an amazing collection of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have several individuals shooting for the high, along with a few trying for the low. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.