Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but favored 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 irrelevant variation, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.

Omaha hi lo begins like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another round of wagering follows and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to make the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where a few entrants can get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must use exactly three cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same notion in nearly every poker game.

A lower hand is more complex, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there’s no low hand presented, the high hand takes the complete pot.

Although it seems difficult at the outset, following a few hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have players betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi/low offers an overwhelming array of wagering possibilities and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals trying for the high, along with several battling for the low hand. If you like a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.