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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has grown in popularity so quickly.

Omaha 8 or better starts just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, another card is flipped on the turn. a further round of betting follows at which point the river card is flipped. The players must attempt 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 entrants get confused. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must use precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical approach in nearly all poker games.

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

It may seem difficult at first, after a couple of hands you will be able to get the basic subtleties of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha hi lo offers an exciting assortment of wagering options and seeing that you have numerous players shooting for the high, as well as many trying for the low hand. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha hi/low.