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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complex but well-loved poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha hi/low starts exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of betting follows where players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. Another round of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another round of betting happens and then the river card is revealed. The gamblers will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a few players get flustered. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must use exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in just about every poker game.

The lower hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand takes the whole pot.

It may seem complex at the start, after a few rounds you will be able to get the base subtleties of play with ease. Since you have players betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 offers an exciting collection of betting options and seeing that you have numerous individuals trying for the high hand, as well as several trying for the low hand. If you like a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha Hi-Lo.