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

Omaha hi/low starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues in which players can bet, check, or fold. 3 cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of wagering happens at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many entrants can get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use precisely three cards on the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical concept in almost all poker games.

A low hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.

Although it seems complicated at the start, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting array of betting choices and because you have numerous individuals shooting for the high hand, as well as a few trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha Hi-Lo.