Omaha Hi Lo

Introduction

Omaha Hi Lo is a popular version of Omaha. In this game, the highest hand and the lowest hand get half of the pot each. The low hand must contain an 8 or better, and no pairs. You can use different cards for the two hands, and it is possible to win both the high and the low pot. If there is no qualifying low hand, then the high hand wins the whole pot.

As in Omaha, you must use two cards from your hand and three from the board, but you can use a different two cards for your high and low hands.

Start Playing

Each player is dealt four cards face down, one at a time. The betting schedule is exactly the same as Omaha and Hold'Em.

Strategy & Tips

Your Low hand must be 8 or better (lower). The lowest high card wins. If two or more players have the same high card, then the next lowest high card wins. Understand this part carefully, the lowest hand is determined by the high cards first. The five examples below demonstrate how this principle works.

Player 1. 8, 5, 4, 2, A
Player 2. 7, 5, 4, 3, 2

Player 2 wins, as 7 is lowest high card.

Player 1. 8, 6, 4, 2, A
Player 2. 8, 7, 4, 2, A

Player 1 wins, as 6 is next lowest high card.

Player 1. 8, 6, 4, 2, A
Player 2. 8, 6, 3, 2, A

Player 2 wins, as 3 is winning high card.

Player 1. 8, 7, 6, 4, 2
Player 2. 8, 7, 6, 5, A

Player 1 wins, as 4 is winning high card.

Player 1. 8, 6, 5, 4, 2
Player 2. 8, 6, 5, 4, A

Player 2 wins, as Ace is winning high card.

Omaha Hi/Lo takes a lot of skill, so practice before you play for real.

Tip: If there are not 3 board cards 8 or lower, then there is no low hand in play, and you are playing for all of the high pot.