Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant game, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha hi/low begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is called the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of betting happens at which point the river card is flipped. The gamblers will need to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many entrants often get baffled. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must use exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same concept in almost every poker game.

A lower hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the entire pot.

Although it seems difficult at first, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming assortment of wagering possibilities and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals trying for the high hand, as well as several battling for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi low.