Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in popularity so quickly.

Omaha/8 starts like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A sequence of betting ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. One more round of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or folded, an additional card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The entrants must attempt to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some players get baffled. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi-low the player has to use exactly three cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in nearly all poker games.

The low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

Although it seems difficult at the outset, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play simply enough. Since you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha/8 offers an exciting range of wagering options and seeing that you have many players battling for the high, along with a few battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha/8.