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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha hi low begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where many entrants can get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the very same concept in just about every poker game.

The low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that might be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.

It may seem difficult at first, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing assortment of betting options and seeing that you have several individuals battling for the high, as well as several shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha/8.