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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of wagering follows where players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of betting happens. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The players will have to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where a number of players can get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player has to use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in nearly all poker games.

The 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 worst hand that could be put together, with the worst being made up of 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 eight and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.

While it seems complicated at the outset, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Since you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing array of betting options and because you have many players battling for the high, and many trying for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to play Omaha hi/lo.

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