Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in popularity so quickly.

Omaha Hi-Lo starts just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. Another round of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants will need to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where a number of players often get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same concept in just about every poker game.

The low hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

While it seems difficult at first, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an exciting array of wagering possibilities and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals trying for the high, and several shooting for the low. If you love a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha/8.