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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in acceptance so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better begins just like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are given out to each player. A round of betting ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another round of wagering happens. Once all the gamblers have either called or dropped out, a further card is revealed on the turn. a further round of wagering ensues and then the river card is revealed. The players will need to make the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.

This is where a few entrants can get confused. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must use exactly 3 cards from the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot may be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It’s the best hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same notion in almost every poker game.

The lower hand is more complex, but certainly free’s up the action. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and smaller. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the high hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

Although it seems complicated at first, following a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Since you have people wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at once, Omaha/8 offers an exciting range of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have numerous players battling for the high, along with a few shooting for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha 8 or better.