Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha hi low begins just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting ensues where players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of wagering happens. After all the gamblers have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some players get baffled. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use exactly three cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

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

A low hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand wins the whole pot.

While it seems complicated at the start, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an amazing assortment of wagering possibilities and because you have many players trying for the high hand, along with many trying for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.