Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It’s 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 invisible game, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of betting follows in which players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. Another round of wagering happens. After all the players have either called or folded, a further card is flipped on the turn. a further sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The entrants will need to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some entrants get flustered. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

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

A lower hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the entire pot.

While it seems complex at the start, following a couple of hands you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of the game with ease. Since you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an exciting collection of wagering choices and because you have several individuals battling for the high, along with a few shooting for the low. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha Hi-Lo.