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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but favored poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant game, has increased in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha/8 begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. A further sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another round of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The players will have to put together the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where a number of players often get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to utilize precisely three cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the identical notion in just about all poker games.

A lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that 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 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.

It may seem complex initially, following a couple of hands you will be able to get the base subtleties of play easily enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha/8 provides an overwhelming assortment of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have many players battling for the high hand, as well as many trying for the low. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.