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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to every player. A sequence of wagering follows where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another round of betting ensues. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The players will need to make the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a number of players get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the strongest possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same notion in nearly 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. A low hand is the worst hand that might be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the higher hand takes the entire pot.

It may seem difficult at the start, following a few rounds you will be able to pick up on the base nuances of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an exciting assortment of wagering choices and because you have numerous individuals battling for the high, and several trying for the low. If you prefer a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha/8.