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

Omaha/8 begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A round of wagering ensues where gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting happens at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where a number of players often get baffled. Contrasted to Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

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

A lower hand is more complex, 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 being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand takes the entire pot.

While it seems difficult at first, following a few hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic nuances of play with ease. Since you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 offers an amazing range of betting options and because you have many individuals trying for the high, along with a few battling for the low. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.