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

Omaha Hi-Lo begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The players will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many entrants can get flustered. Contrasted to Hold’em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

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

A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.

Although it seems complicated at the outset, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of the game with ease. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming collection of wagering choices and because you have many individuals shooting for the high hand, as well as 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 play Omaha High-Low.