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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in popularity so quickly.

Omaha/8 starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows in which players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. After all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The players will have to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where some players often get baffled. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must utilize exactly three 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 could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in just about all poker games.

The low hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t 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 wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.

It may seem complicated at the start, following a couple of hands you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of the game simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha hi/low provides an overwhelming collection of betting possibilities and seeing that you have several players trying for the high, and a few trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha/8.