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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most complex but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure game, has grown in popularity so amazingly.

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

This is where many players often get confused. Unlike Hold’em, in which the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha hi low the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the very same concept in just about 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 might be made, with the lowest being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the higher hand wins the entire pot.

Although it seems complex at the start, following a few hands you will be able to pick up on the fundamental nuances of the game with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since so many cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an amazing collection of betting choices and seeing that you have many individuals battling for the high hand, and many battling for the low. If you prefer a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.