Omaha Hi Lo: Basic Outline

by Colby on June 22nd, 2025

Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most difficult but popular poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure variation, has grown in popularity so amazingly.

Omaha 8 or better starts like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A round of betting follows where gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are dealt out, this is referred to as the flop. A further round of betting happens. Once all the players have either called or dropped out, an additional card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting ensues and then the river card is flipped. The players will need to put together the strongest high and low five card hands based on the board and hole cards.

This is the point where a number of players often get flustered. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi lo the player has to use exactly 3 cards on the board, and exactly two cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."

A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the best possible hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the identical approach in nearly all poker games.

The low hand is more complex, but really opens up the action. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the weakest hand that could be put together, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Considering that straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.

While it seems complicated initially, following a few rounds you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental nuances of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha hi lo provides an exciting array of wagering options and seeing that you have several players shooting for the high hand, as well as a few trying for the low. If you enjoy a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.

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