Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but popular 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 invisible variation, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha hi lo starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. a further round of wagering follows at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will need to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where many entrants can get flustered. Contrasted to Hold’em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player has to utilize precisely three cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same concept in almost all poker games.

A low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand wins the entire pot.

Although it seems difficult at the start, after a couple of hands you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 provides an exciting range of wagering possibilities and because you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, along with a few trying for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha hi-low.