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 normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha/8 begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another round of betting ensues and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a number of entrants get confused. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to utilize precisely three cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest 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 lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the complete pot.

While it seems difficult at first, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic nuances of the game with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting collection of wagering possibilities and because you have many players trying for the high hand, and a few battling for the low hand. If you love a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha hi lo.