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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering follows where players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. One more sequence of betting happens. After all the players have in turn called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The entrants must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many entrants often get baffled. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to utilize exactly three cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

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

The low hand is more complicated, but really free’s up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.

While it seems complicated initially, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the basic nuances of play simply enough. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing collection of wagering options and because you have many individuals trying for the high hand, and many shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.