Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible game, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better starts like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of wagering ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. a further round of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where a few players get confused. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same notion in almost all poker games.

A lower hand is more complex, but really free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because 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 lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.

Although it seems complex initially, following a couple of hands you will be agile enough to get the base subtleties of the game with ease. Seeing as you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi/lo offers an amazing collection of wagering choices and seeing that you have many players trying for the high hand, as well as several battling for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.