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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but popular poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha/8 begins just like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is known as the flop. One more sequence of wagering ensues. After all the players have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting follows and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is where some players can get flustered. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in almost every poker game.

A lower hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that might be made, 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 smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there’s no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the whole pot.

It may seem difficult at first, following a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play easily enough. Since you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an overwhelming array of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, as well as several trying for the low hand. If you like a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha Hi-Lo.