Omaha Hi-Lo, also known as Omaha Eight-or-Better or just Omaha 8, is a fascinating poker variant that adds a split pot dynamic to the traditional Pot Limi Omaha (or Omaha Hi) gameplay. Click here to check our guide on how to play Pot Limit Omaha.
In this variation of Omaha, players compete for both the high and low halves of the pot. One half of the pot goes to the strongest high hand, while the remaining half is claimed by the best low hand.
Mostly Omaha Hi-Lo is played with a fixed-limit betting structure but Pot-Limit and No-Limit versions are also popular.
Origins and History of Omaha Hi-Lo
Omaha Hi-Lo originated from regular Omaha and gained popularity in the United States during the 1980s. The variant was introduced to add a split pot element, giving players the opportunity to compete for both the high and low hands. Omaha Hi-Lo has since become a staple in both cash games and tournament formats, attracting players with its strategic depth and split pot dynamics.
The Basics
Omaha Hi-Lo follows a similar structure to Pot Limit Omaha, with each player receiving four private cards and using exactly two of them, along with three community cards (of the five available), to form their five card hand.
The difference is that in Omaha Hi-Lo, the pot is split between the player with the highest-ranking hand and the player with the lowest-ranking qualifying hand.
The high-hand rankings follow the standard poker hand rankings, while the low-hand rankings require five unpaired cards ranked eight or lower. A qualifying low hand must not contain any pairs or cards higher than eight. We’ll go into more detail about the low-hand later in this guide.
Rules and Gameplay
The Blinds
In Omaha Hi-Lo, a marker called ‘the button’ or ‘the dealer button’ indicates which player is the dealer for the current hand. Before the hand begins, the player immediately to the left of the button posts the “small blind”, the first forced bet. The player directly to the left of the small blind posts the “big blind”, which is typically twice the size of the small blind (the blinds can vary depending on the stakes and betting structure being played).
>> Click here to know more about blinds and antes.
After the blinds are posted, the dealer deals each player four cards, one at a time, to each player, starting with the player in the small blind and moving clockwise.
Betting Options
During a poker hand you have 5 options, familiarize yourself with these options:
- Check: Stay in the hand without betting (as long as nobody else bets).
- Bet: The first player to put money in the pot starts off the betting. Other players must then decide whether to call, fold or raise.
- Fold: Discard your cards, relinquishing the opportunity to remain in the hand and compete for the pot.
- Call: Match the full amount that has been bet by another player in order to stay in the hand.
- Raise: Increase the current bet’s value. Other players will have to decide among folding, calling, or further raising your bet.
This game is generally played with a fixed limit bettin structure, so in the examples in this guide we will use this betting structure. But it’s worth remembering that it can also be played in Pot Limit and No Limit structures.
Pre-flop and on the flop, all bets and raises are of the same amount as the big blind. The size of all bets and raises doubles on the turn and the river. For example, at a $5/$10 limit Omaha Hi-Lo game, players can bet and raise in $5 units preflop and on the flop, and in $10 units on the turn and river.
Pre-Flop
After seeing their hole cards, each player can play his or her hand by folding, calling or raising the big blind. The action begins with the player to the left of the big blind, also known as the player under the gun. That player has the option to fold, call, or raise. For example, if the big blind is $5, it would cost $5 to call or $10 to raise. The action then proceeds clockwise around the table.
The betting continues until all active players (who have not folded) have placed equal bets in the pot.
The Flop
Now, the dealer deals three community cards face up, known as the flop. These cards are shared by all players and can be used in combination with their hole cards to form a hand. Betting on the flop begins with the active player immediately to the left of the button. The betting options are similar to pre-flop; however, if nobody has previously bet, players may check, passing the action to the next active player clockwise.
When the betting action is completed, the ‘turn’ is dealt face-up on the board.
The Turn
The turn is the fourth community card and now another round of betting ensues, beginning with the active player immediately clockwise from the button. From now on the bets are in $10 units.
When the betting action is completed, the ‘river’ is dealt face-up on the board.
The River
This is the final community card, and another betting round takes place.
The Showdown
If more than one player remains after the final betting round, the player who placed the last bet or raise reveals their cards. However, if no bets were made during the final round, the player seated immediately to the left of the button shows their cards first.
Low Hand Explained
First of all, you can use the same cards in your low and in your high hand. You can utilize the identical pair of cards, the remaining pair of cards, or any mixture thereof. The condition is that you must use two cards from your set of four, alongside three of the community cards, to build your final five-card poker hand.
Omaha Hi-Lo employs an ‘8-or-better’ qualifier, indicating that a qualifying low hand must comprise five distinct cards, all ranked at eight or lower. This condition must be met for a player to be eligible to win the low half of the pot.
Omaha Hi-Lo uses the ‘Ace to Five’ system for ranking low hands. What does that mean?
For the low hand, the ace is considered a low card (the lowest), and straights and flushes do not count against a hand, so the best possible hand is a “wheel”: 5, 4, 3, 2, A. The next lowest possible hand is 6-4-3-2-A. The worst low hand that qualifies as a low in Omaha hi-lo would be 8-7-6-5-4.
Very important: The low hand is always ranked from its highest card downwards.
Let’s give you some examples to make it easier to understand:
Hand A: 7, 6, 5, 4, 3
Hand B: 8, 7, 3, 2, A
In this case, hand A is a better low hand because it’s highest card is a seven. Hand A is a ‘Seven-low’ while Hand B is a ‘Eight-low’.
Hand A: 6, 5, 4, 3, A
Hand B: 6, 4, 3, 2, A
In this case, the highest card in both hands is a six, but the second highest card in hand B is a four, which is lower than the five in hand A, making hand B the best low hand. Hand B is a ‘Six-Four low’ while hand A is a ‘Six-Five low’.
If there is a tie between the low hands, the respective half of the pot is split between the players with the best low hand. The same can happen with the high hand.
You can win both halves of the pot, wich is something that you should always aim at when playing Omaha Hi-Lo or any other split pot game. This is called a “scoop” or “scooping.”
It is also importante to point out that sometimes there will be no qualifying low hand. When that happens, the best high hand scoops the whole pot.
Strategies and Tips
To excel in Omaha Hi-Lo, consider the following strategies and tips:
- Starting Hand Selection: Pay attention to hands that have the potential to form both a strong high hand and a qualifying low hand.
- Scooping Pots: Aim to “scoop” the entire pot by winning both the high and low hands. This requires a strategic approach to maximize your chances.
- Nut Potential: Place emphasis on hands that have the potential to make the nut (the best possible hand) for both the high and low sides.
- Reading Opponents: Observe your opponents’ betting patterns and tendencies to assess their hand strength and potential for the low hand.
- Pot Odds: Calculate the pot odds and assess the potential value of competing for both the high and low sides of the pot before making decisions.
Omaha Hi-Lo offers a unique twist on the traditional Pot Limit Omaha, challenging players to navigate the complexities of split pot dynamics and the pursuit of both high and low hands. By understanding the rules and implementing effective strategies, you can become a formidable Omaha Hi-Lo player and maximize your opportunities at the tables.
Remember to practice, analyze your gameplay, and continually refine your skills to thrive in this exciting and rewarding poker variant.
