Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in acceptance so quickly.

Omaha hi/low starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A round of wagering follows in which players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting follows and then the river card is flipped. The players will have to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where many players can get confused. Contrasted to Hold’em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely 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 exactly how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same notion in almost every poker game.

The low hand is more complex, but really free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.

Although it seems difficult initially, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi low offers an exciting assortment of wagering choices and seeing that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, as well as several battling for the low. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha/8.