Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.

Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting ensues where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. After all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will need to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many players get confused. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to utilize precisely three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in just about all poker games.

The low hand is more complex, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.

It may seem difficult at the start, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the base subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting range of wagering options and seeing that you have numerous individuals trying for the high hand, and many shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha/8.