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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 popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has increased in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha hi low starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to every player. A sequence of betting follows where players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. After all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. Another round of betting ensues at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a number of players often get confused. Unlike Texas Holdem, where the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player must utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and precisely two cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

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

The low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that might be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

It may seem complex initially, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play with ease. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an exciting array of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have several individuals battling for the high hand, as well as a few battling for the low hand. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.

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