Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once irrelevant game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.

Omaha 8 or better starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of betting follows in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. A further round of wagering ensues. After all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional sequence of betting happens at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where a number of entrants often get baffled. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player must use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the same notion in almost all poker games.

A low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, 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 smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

Although it seems difficult initially, after a couple of rounds you will be able to get the base nuances of the game with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi lo provides an overwhelming range of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, and many battling for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.