Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha hi low begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of wagering ensues. After all the players have either called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further sequence of wagering ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The players will need to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where a few entrants often get confused. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must utilize exactly three cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same concept in almost all poker games.

A lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the entire pot.

It may seem difficult initially, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of the game easily enough. Since you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha High-Low offers an exciting range of betting possibilities and seeing that you have numerous individuals battling for the high, and several trying for the low. If you love a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.