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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly seen as one of the most difficult but favored poker games. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites action from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.

Omaha hi/lo begins like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to each player. A sequence of betting follows where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are handed out, this is called the flop. Another round of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, another card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens 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 often get flustered. Unlike Hold’em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to utilize precisely three cards from the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot can be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

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

The low hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. the lowest hand is the weakest hand that could be made, with the lowest value being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as 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 below. The low hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the high hand takes the complete pot.

Although it seems complex initially, after a few hands you will be agile enough to get the base subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha Hi-Lo offers an overwhelming range of wagering options and because you have many players trying for the high, as well as a few battling for the low. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.