Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha/8 begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt 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 revealed on the turn. a further round of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The players must attempt to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some entrants can get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to use exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same approach in nearly all poker games.

A low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the entire pot.

Although it seems complicated at the outset, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting assortment of betting options and owing to the fact that you have numerous players battling for the high, and many trying for the low. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha hi/lo.