Game rules for Omaha Hi/Lo

Overview

Omaha Hi/Lo, also known as Omaha High/Low or Omaha 8 or Better, is a popular variation of poker that is fast becoming a favorite among millions of players. The game is played like the traditional Omaha version, the main difference being in the splitting of the pot at the end of the showdown.

The Objective of Omaha Hi/Lo

According to Omaha Hi/Lo rules, players make their best possible five card hand using two out of their four hold cards and three out of the five community cards dealt during the game. At the showdown in Omaha Hi/Lo, the pot is split between the player with the highest hand and the player with the lowest qualifying hand (hence the name).

How to Play Omaha Hi/Lo

There are essentially four rounds in Omaha Hi/Lo. These are known as the Pre-flop round, the Flop, the Turn and the River.

The Omaha Hi/Lo game is played out as follows:

The dealer deals four cards (known as hole cards) to each player around the Omaha Hi/Lo poker table. These cards are unique to each player and are kept hidden. A round of betting takes place and this is known as the Pre-flop round.

The Flop Round: Three cards, known as the flop cards, are dealt by the dealer to the center of the poker table. Considered community cards, these flop cards are available to all the players for the purpose of creating suitable hands. After the dealing of these three community cards, another round of betting begins.

The Turn Round: The fourth community card, known as the Turn, is dealt to the center of the table. Once again, it is made available to players to use to make a hand. A third round of betting then begins.

The River Round: The River round in Omaha Hi/Lo occurs when the fifth and final community card (the River card) is dealt to the center of the table. This is followed by a final round of betting.

Declaring an Omaha Hi/Lo Winner

After the final round of betting takes place, and all bets have been equalized, all remaining players in the Omaha Hi/Lo game (also known as active players) enter into the showdown to declare the winning hand. As noted, the winning hand will comprise of two pocket cards and three community cards that were dealt during the course of the game. Half the pot will be awarded to the player with the highest hand, and half the pot will go to the player with the lowest hand in the game.  Should there be only one remaining player from the final betting round, naturally no showdown will take place and that player will take the pot.

Conclusion

Omaha Hi/Lo is an exciting poker variation, very similar to its ‘big brother’ though with an interesting twist in the showdown stage of the game. It is thus easy to understand the appeal of Omaha Hi/Lo.