Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A round of wagering follows where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. A further sequence of wagering happens. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering follows at which point the river card is revealed. The players will have to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where many players get confused. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike regular 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 possible hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in almost every poker game.

The lower hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because 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 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand takes the entire pot.

It may seem complicated initially, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha Hi-Lo provides an exciting assortment of wagering choices and because you have numerous individuals battling for the high hand, as well as a few trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha/8.