Omaha Hi/Lo Poker

 
 

>> Omaha Hi/Lo introduction

Omaha Hi/Lo (also refered to as 'Omaha 8 or better') is a split pot variant of Omaha poker. Like Omaha the player must use any combination of two (out of four) holecards and three (out of five) community cards to create their hands. The difference lies in the dual pot aspect, because players can win on a high or on a low hand, or both in some cases.

>> How to play Omaha Hi/Lo

Players can use different combinations of their hole & community cards for their high and low hands.

High hand
The high hand is played just like normal Omaha where the highest hand wins.

Low hand
Only a five card hand with different numerical values from Ace-8 (Ace being the lowest) can qualify for the low hand. The winning low hand goes to the player with the lowest high card. i.e. 2,4,5,6,7 would be better than A,2,4,6,8 (n.b. Flushes & Straights don't count). In the case of a tie, the players share the low pot. If no one qualifies for the low hand than the winner of the high hand takes all.

Player's pocket cards
Community cards

High hand is 3 of a kind (Aces). Low hand is A,2,3,4,6 can be made (using a Ace & 3 from the pocket cards).

Player's pocket cards
Community cards

High hand is 3 of a kind (Aces). Note that the straight of A,K,Q,J,10 can't be made has the player can only use 2 of their hole cards. Low hand is impossible.


>> Structure of game

1. Blinds
OmahaThe player to the left of the dealer must place a small blind (half minimum bet) and the next player to the left must place the big blind (minimum bet). After each game ends the dealer (indicated by the dealer's button) moves one place to the left. The reason blinds are compulsory is to ensure there's a pot to play for, it also forces anyone who wishes to play their hand to place a bet worth no less than the big blind.

2. Cards Dealt
Beginning with the person left of the dealer everyone recieves four face down cards, which are private and they will only (possibly) be revealed at the showdown.

3. 1st Betting Round
Based on their four cards players must then place their bets. Beginning with the player to the left of the two who posted the blinds. On their turn players can:

  • Call (match the current bet)
  • Raise (increase the bet)
  • Fold (give up & forfeit any bets placed)

This continues all round the table until all the players who wish to stay in the game have the same bets on the table. There can be a maximum of 1 bet and 3 raises in each round of Texas Hold em betting.

4. The Flop (3 community cards)
After the first betting round, the dealer discards the top card of the deck (this is called burning the card) and is done to help prevent cheating. The dealer then flips the next thee cards face up on the table. These cards are called "the flop" and are commumity cards which can be used by all players (note there will be 5 community cards at the end of the game).

5. 2nd Betting Round
The player to the left of the dealer (the button). Begins another round of betting, during this and all future rounds of betting, on their turn players can:

  • Check (if no one has raised, the player can keep their bet as it is)
  • Call
  • Raise
  • Fold

This continues all round the table until all the players who wish to stay in the game have the same bets on the table.

6. The Turn (4th community card)
The dealer burns another card and plays one more face up card onto the table called the "Turn" (also referred as "Fourth Street").

7. 3rd Betting Round
As in stage 5, but the minimum raise is now increased to the higher limit.

8. The River (5th community card)
The dealer burns another card and plays the final community card, the "River" (also referred as "Fifth Street").

9. Final Betting Round & Showdown
Players can now use any combination of seven cards, the five community cards and their 2 hole cards (known only to them) to form the best possible five-card Poker hand.

The 4th and final round of betting starts with the player to the left of the dealer (using the higher minimum limit). After the final betting round, all players who remain in the game reveal their hands. The last person to bet or raise then shows their cards. The best hand wins the pot.

>> Get luckier at Omaha Hi/Lo

Remember luck is a skill, and you'll find your luck improves when you take in some of the points below:

Take all
The main goal in Omaha Hi Lo is to win the whole pot, getting half often puts you barely ahead of where you were before (particularly if the majority of the players fold).

Best starting hand
The best starting hand is A,A,2,3 'Double suited'. Double suited means that the A-2 is suited and the A-3 is suited from a different suit. This hand is particular good for the following reasons:

  1. It contains a pair of Aces, which alone has decent potential especially if another Ace shows up as a community card.

  2. It contains 2 chances of a flush draw. If 3 suited cards hit the board in either of the two suits in your hand, you have the best possible high hand.

  3. It contains the 3 lowest possible cards, giving a great chance of winning the low pot. If the community cards are 2,4,7,J,K you have a qualifying hand.