Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha hi/lo begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of betting ensues in which players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where a few entrants often get confused. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to use precisely three cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the identical approach in almost all poker games.

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

While it seems complex at first, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of play easily enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting assortment of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have numerous individuals battling for the high, and many trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha Hi-Lo.