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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently seen as one of the most complex but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once obscure variation, has increased in popularity so rapidly.

Omaha/8 begins just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A round of betting follows where players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. One more sequence of wagering happens. After all the players have in turn called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The players will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a number of entrants get confused. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can be every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to utilize precisely 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular 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 is the best hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same approach in just about all poker games.

A lower hand is more difficult, but certainly free’s up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Because straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.

While it seems difficult at first, following a few hands you will be able to get the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Since you have players wagering for the low and betting for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better offers an overwhelming range of betting options and because you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, and a few battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.