Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha hi/lo begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering happens at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a number of entrants often get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in nearly every poker game.

The lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand takes the entire pot.

It may seem difficult initially, following a few hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Since you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha Hi-Lo offers an overwhelming collection of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals battling for the high, along with several battling for the low. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi-low.