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Omaha Hi Lo (which is also known as “Omaha High Low” and “Omaha 8 or Better”) has become extremely popular in North America and Europe mostly due to its frequently large pots. Every player in an Omaha Hi Lo game is dealt four “hole cards” that no other player gets to see or use. Just like in other Omaha games five community cards are dealt face up during the course of play, and each player’s objective is to use only two of their hole cards together with three of the community cards to create their best possible five card hand. In Omaha Hi Lo the pot is divided between the best poker hand for high and the best poker hand for low – which is why this variation of Omaha is called Omaha Hi Lo. Go to the poker hand rankings page to see a list hand ranks for Omaha Hi Lo.
Make sure you understand that Omaha Hi Lo is played with a qualifier of “8 or better”. This means that a player’s hand must be at worst an 8 low in order to be entitled to win the low segment of the pot. Low hands in this type of Omaha are decided in precisely the same manner as they are in 7 Card Stud Hi Lo.
Types of Omaha Hi Lo Games
Omaha Hi Lo can be played using the different betting structures (eventhough the betting structures change, Omaha itself is still played the same way):
1) Limit Omaha Hi Lo – A specified wagering limitation is pre-determined in each game and in every round of betting.
2) Pot Limit Omaha Hi Lo – Maximum wagers can only be as large as the total size of the pot.
3) No Limit Omaha Hi Lo – Any player can bet as many chips as they want in any round of betting.
Setup and Begin:
In Omaha HiLO poker, a small round object known as “the button”, is used to show which player is the nominal dealer in the current round of betting. Prior to the game getting started, the player immediately to the left of the button posts a forced bet known as the “small blind”. Usually the small blind is half the minimum bet of that tables stake level (for example, $2 in a $4/$8 Omaha Hi Lo game). The player directly to the left of the small blind, the “big blind”, must also make a forced bet. The big blind must post a full minimum bet ($4 in a $4/$8 Omaha Hi Lo game). After all posts have been made, each player receives their four hole cards. Wagering proceeds around the table, beginning with the player directly to the left of the big blind.
The Flop:
It is at this time that the “flop” is dealt face-up on the board. The flop is made up of the first three community cards which can be used by all active players. The betting action begins with the first active player directly to the left of the button. All wagering must occur in increments of the small bet. (increments of $4 in a $4/$8 Omaha Hi Lo game).
The Turn:
When the wagering is finished after the flop, the “turn” card is dealt by the dealer face-up on the board. The turn is the name used for the fourth community card dealt in a game of Omaha Hi Lo. This round of play begins with the active player directly to the left of the button. This second round of betting is different from the first in that minimum betting levels are now doubled. For example in a $4/8 Omaha Hi Lo game, betting on the turn is done at minimum levels of $8.
The River:
When wagering is finished for the turn round, the “river” card is dealt by the dealer face up on the table. The river card is the fifth and final community card which is dealt in a game of Omaha Hi Lo. Wagering continues in this round with the active player who is directly to the left of the button.
At this point, if there is more than a single active player left, the last bettor or raiser displays their hole cards. If there was no bet on the last round of wagering, the active player directly to the left of the button is the individual who must present their hole cards. The player with the best possible five card hand wins the high segment of the pot, and the player with the best possible low hand wins the other segment. Both segments of the pot are equal. In any version of Omaha poker (including Hi Lo), each active player is only allowed to use two, and only two, of their four hole cards in combination with three of the community cards. If two players have the same hands, the Hi and Low halves of the pot will be shared respectively between the players who tied for that segment of the pot.
After a player or players have won the pot, a new game of Omaha Hi Lo commences. The button is now moved clockwise to the next player.
If you enjoy Omaha Hi Lo poker we highly suggest viewing our Limit and Pot-Limit Omaha Rules section. You may also be interested in learning how to play Texas Holdem and some of its popular variations. If you would like to see a complete listing of all the rules to all poker games, visit our Poker Rules section.
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