Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant game, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha/8 begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The players will have to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where a few entrants can get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must utilize precisely three cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same concept in nearly every poker game.

The low hand is more complex, 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 could be made, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.

It may seem complex at first, after a couple of hands you will be able to get the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing range of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, as well as a few battling for the low. If you love a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.