Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in acceptance so quickly.

Omaha/8 starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further round of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where some players get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize precisely three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the identical concept in just about every poker game.

The lower hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand takes the whole pot.

While it seems complicated at the start, after a couple of hands you will be able to pick up on the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing collection of betting possibilities and seeing that you have several individuals battling for the high, as well as several shooting for the low hand. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha/8.