Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another round of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens and then the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to make the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where a few entrants get confused. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical concept in nearly all poker games.

The lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand takes the entire pot.

Although it seems complex initially, after a few rounds you will be able to get the basic nuances of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 provides an exciting range of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have several players battling for the high, along with several trying 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.