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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most difficult but popular poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.

Omaha/8 begins like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to each player. A round of betting ensues in which gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering happens at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants will need to make the best high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where many players often get baffled. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can be everyone's hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of every player's, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same notion in just about all poker games.

A low hand is more complicated, but really free's up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don't count. A low hand is the weakest hand that can be made, with the lowest value being 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 8 and lower. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.

While it seems complex initially, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to get the base nuances of the game easily enough. Seeing as you have people wagering 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 provides an overwhelming range of betting options and because you have numerous players battling for the high hand, along with many battling for the low. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it's not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.