Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. 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 obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so quickly.

Omaha hi low starts just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering follows at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where a number of entrants get confused. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must use precisely 3 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 two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the identical approach in just about all poker games.

The low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that can 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 worst possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

Although it seems complex initially, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the fundamental nuances of play simply enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an amazing range of betting possibilities and owing to the fact that you have many individuals trying for the high hand, and a few shooting for the low. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.