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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in popularity so quickly.

Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A round of betting ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another round of wagering happens. After all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering happens and then the river card is flipped. The players will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some entrants often get confused. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same approach in just about all poker games.

The lower hand is more difficult, 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 can be put together, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

It may seem complex at the start, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the basic nuances of play simply enough. Since you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha hi lo offers an overwhelming range of wagering choices and because you have numerous individuals trying for the high hand, and many battling for the low. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to play Omaha High-Low.