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

Omaha hi/lo begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another sequence of betting happens. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another round of betting ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The gamblers must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where a number of entrants get confused. Unlike Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player must utilize exactly three cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It is the very same approach in almost every poker game.

The lower hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the higher hand takes the complete pot.

While it seems difficult initially, following a couple of hands you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of the game with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming array of betting choices and seeing that you have many individuals battling for the high hand, as well as several battling for the low. If you love a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha hi/low.