Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in popularity so quickly.

Omaha 8 or better starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The players will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where some entrants often get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike 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 every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same notion in almost all poker games.

The low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the complete pot.

While it seems complex initially, following a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the base nuances of the game easily enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing collection of wagering choices and seeing that you have many players battling for the high, and many shooting for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha hi/lo.