Omaha Hi/Lo is an exciting variant of Omaha Poker, giving players more chances to win, whether they develop an excellent hand or the absolute worst! The term Hi/Lo refers to the winners - the highest hand and the lowest hand can both win. Hi hand always wins, but a low hand must qualify (be low enough) to win.

What is a Qualifying Low Hand?

In order to qualify for a winning Low hand in Omaha Hi/Lo, the player must create a 5-card poker hand with nothing higher than an 8. Aces are counted as low cards when developing a Low hand (Ace is high in High hand development), and Straights and Flushes are not considered combinations in a Low hand, making this much easier to achieve than one might initially think.

According to the guidelines stated above, the best possible Omaha Low hand is 5-4-3-2-A. Remember, Straights don't count. Even if all 5 cards are suited (i.e. all hearts), Flushes don't count either, so this is the perfect Omaha Low hand. (However, remember that any pair counts....so A,2,2,4,5 is not a very "low" hand)

If no player has a qualifying Low hand, the Hi hand winner is awarded the entire Pot. Otherwise, the High and Low hand winners split the Pot. It is possible for the same player to win both the High and Low pot. When developing hands during the Showdown, each player first creates a High hand - High winner is determined - then each player creates a Low hand (if possible) - Low hand winner is determined.

What Makes Omaha Different From Texas Hold'em?

There are two major differences between Omaha Poker and Texas Hold'em. The first is the Hole Cards. In Omaha Poker, each player get 4 Hole Cards, instead of only 2 Hole Cards, as Texas Hold'em is played. The second major difference is how these Hole Cards are used. Texas Hold'em is simple - 2 Hole Cards and 5 Community Cards to be combined in absolutely any manner the player wishes. In Omaha Poker, on the other hand, even though the player has 4 Hole Cards, their use is strictly governed by the rules of the game. The player must use 2 Hole Cards exactly, combined with 3 Community Cards exactly - no more, no less - to make the best possible 5-card poker hand.

For example, if a player has 3 Spade suits in his Hole Cards, and the Community Cards reveal 2 more spades, this is not a Flush. The player may only use two Hole Cards, leaving them with only 4-Spades.

How To Play Omaha Hi/Lo

Okay, now that you have a basic understanding of what it means to play Omaha Hi/Lo, let's run through an example hand to give you more insight as to the way the game is played out.

The Blinds: The Small Blind and Big Blind bets are placed respectively, starting with the player directly left of the Dealer Button. The Small and Big Blinds are equal to the game's low and high stakes. For example, a $1/$2 Omaha game incurs a Small Blind of $1 and Big Blind of $2.

The Deal: Players are dealt 4 Hole Cards each. Starting with the player directly left of the Big Blind, the first betting round begins. If no one Raises, betting ends with the Dealer Button, unless the Small or Big Blind bettors choose to Raise.

The Flop: The first 3 Community Cards are dealt face-up to the center of the table. These cards are used by every player, combined with their Hole Cards, to develop a High and Low poker hand throughout the hand. The second round of betting now commences, starting with the Small Blind Bettor this time, and for each remaining betting round.

The Turn: A 4th Community Card is dealt, followed by another round of betting.

The River: A 5th and final Community Card is revealed, followed by the final round of betting.

The Showdown: Each player first creates the highest possible 5-card poker hand from exactly 2 Hole Cards and 3 Community Cards. This determines the High Hand winner. Each player then creates the Lowest possible poker hand, (must be 8-high or less to qualify). This determines the Low hand winner. High and Low winners split the pot.

If no Low hand Qualifies, the High hand wins the entire pot. If the same player wins High and Low hand, they win the entire pot.