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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 games. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, aims for action from all levels of players. This is the chief reason why a once invisible variation, has grown in popularity so quickly.

Omaha 8 or better starts like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are handed out to every player. A round of betting follows in which players can bet, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is called the flop. Another sequence of betting ensues. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another round of betting happens and then the river card is flipped. The players will have to make the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where many players can get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must use exactly three cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It is the best possible hand out of every player’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It is the same concept in nearly all poker games.

A lower hand is more complicated, but certainly opens up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that might be made, 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 smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the high hand wins the whole pot.

It may seem complicated initially, after a couple of rounds you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play simply enough. Seeing as you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing collection of betting options and owing to the fact that you have numerous individuals shooting for the high, and several shooting for the low hand. If you prefer a game with a plethora of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.