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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has increased in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha/8 begins like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering follows in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of betting ensues and then the river card is revealed. The players must attempt to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some players can get baffled. Unlike Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower 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. It’s the same approach in just about every poker game.

A lower hand is more difficult, but really free’s up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that can be put together, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.

Although it seems difficult at first, after a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the basic subtleties of play easily enough. Seeing as you have people betting for the low and betting for the high, and since so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing assortment of betting choices and because you have numerous players battling for the high, and many trying for the low hand. If you enjoy a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.