Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but favored poker games. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better begins like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. After all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is flipped on the turn. a further round of betting follows at which point the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many players often get flustered. Contrasted to Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use exactly 3 cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 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 hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the identical approach in just about every poker game.

A low hand is more difficult, but really opens 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 made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.

Although it seems complex at first, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting range of wagering choices and owing to the fact that you have many individuals battling for the high hand, as well as a few shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha Hi-Lo.