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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most difficult but popular 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 obscure variation, has grown in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha/8 starts just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting follows where players can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. A further round of betting ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a few players can get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

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

The lower hand is more difficult, but really opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the complete pot.

It may seem complex at first, following a few rounds you will be able to get the base nuances of play easily enough. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing array of wagering choices and because you have numerous players battling for the high hand, along with many battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha hi/lo.