Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better starts just like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering ensues where players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are given out, this is known as the flop. Another round of betting ensues. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. a further round of wagering happens and then the river card is revealed. The entrants will have to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where a number of players can get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must use exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

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

The low hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the entire pot.

While it seems complicated at the outset, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to get the fundamental subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an overwhelming array of betting possibilities and seeing that you have several players battling for the high, and many trying for the low. 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.