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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times seen as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker games. It is a variation 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 increased in acceptance so quickly.

Omaha hi low starts exactly like a regular game of Omaha. Four cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering follows in which players can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are given out, this is called the flop. One more round of wagering happens. After all the players have either called or folded, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of wagering follows and then the river card is flipped. The gamblers will have to put together the best high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a number of entrants get flustered. Unlike Holdem, where the board can make up every player's hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to utilize precisely three cards from the board, and precisely 2 hole cards. Not a single card more, no less. Unlike normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot may be won: the "higher hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the strongest possible hand out of everyone's, it doesn't matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It's the very same concept in almost every poker game.

A lower hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the action. 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 lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don't count, A-2-3-4-5 is the worst possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and below. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

Although it seems difficult at the outset, after a couple of hands you will be able to get the base nuances of the game easily enough. Since you have players wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha hi lo provides an overwhelming range of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have numerous individuals battling for the high, as well as several trying for the low. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to play Omaha/8.