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

Omaha hi/lo starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. After all the players have either called or folded, another card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of betting follows at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some entrants get baffled. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can make up every player's hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It's the best hand out of every player's, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same concept in nearly every poker game.

The low hand is more difficult, but certainly opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don't count. the lowest hand is the weakest 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 worst possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there's no low hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.

It may seem complicated initially, following a few hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an exciting range of wagering possibilities and owing to the fact that you have many individuals battling for the high, and many trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha 8 or better.