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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant game, has increased in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha Hi-Lo starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A round of wagering follows where players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The players will have to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a number of players often get confused. Contrasted to Hold’em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use exactly 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the best hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same concept in almost every poker game.

The low hand is more difficult, but really opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

While it seems complex at the outset, after a few rounds you will be able to get the base subtleties of the game with ease. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi/lo offers an overwhelming collection of betting options and because you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, and several battling for the low. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.