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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in acceptance so rapidly.

Omaha hi lo begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to each player. A sequence of wagering follows where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is known as the flop. Another round of wagering ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will have to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some entrants get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold 'Em, in which the board can make up everyone's hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must utilize precisely three cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It's the strongest hand out of every player's, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in just about all poker games.

The lower hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don't count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don't count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there's no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the whole pot.

While it seems complex at the outset, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to get the fundamental nuances of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi low provides an overwhelming assortment of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have several players battling for the high, and several trying for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it's worth your time to participate in Omaha/8.