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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most complicated but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so quickly.

Omaha 8 or better starts just like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to each player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can wager, check, or drop out. 3 cards are dealt out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. an additional round of betting happens at which point the river card is flipped. The entrants will have to make the best high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where some players can get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can be everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to utilize exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are two ways a pot can be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the identical concept in almost every poker game.

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

While it seems difficult at the outset, after a couple of rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the base subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better offers an overwhelming assortment of wagering possibilities and because you have several individuals shooting for the high, as well as a few battling for the low hand. If you prefer a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha hi low.