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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but favored poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha/8 starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. a further round of betting follows at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many players get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same notion in just about all poker games.

The low hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the entire pot.

While it seems complicated at first, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Since you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming assortment of betting options and because you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, along with several shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha High-Low.