Omaha Hi Lo Guide

Omaha Hi Lo, officially known as ‘Omaha Hold'em, 8 or better high-low split’ is a popular game choice at online and offline poker rooms. In fact, this game’s popularity is growing so fast that experts consider it to be the game of the future.

The Objective

The objective of Omaha Hi Lo is to get the best five card high hand, as well as the best low card hand, using two out of the four cards that were dealt, and five of the community cards placed on the poker table. Different cards can be used to make the best high hand and the best low hand. Players win half the pot if they make the best high hand, and the other half if they make the best low hand.

Betting Structure

There are two blinds used in this fixed position game – the small blind and the big blind. The small blind is equal in value to half the low limit being played, while the big blind is equal to the limit bet. So, for example in a $10/$20 game, the small blind will be worth $5, while the big blind $10

Omaha Hi Lo Playing Rules

There are several betting rounds in Omaha Hi/Lo poker. The bets need to be the same as the low limit bet in the first two rounds, and the same as the high limit bet in the last two rounds. Players are allowed to make a maximum of three raises in each round.

• 1. The first player to the left of the dealer posts a small blind.
• 2. The player to his left posts a big blind.
• 3. The dealer deals four cards face down to each player around the table.
• 4. The player to the left of the two that placed blinds needs to call the big blind, fold or raise.
• 5. The Flop Round: When betting is completed on this round, all chips are gathered to the pot and the dealer places three cards face up on the poker table. These are known as community cards. The player to the left of the dealer begins a betting round, with players needing to make their best five-card hand with two of the dealt cards and three community cards.
• 6. The Turn Round: With the conclusion of the betting round, the dealer places the Turn, another community card, on the table. Bets are expected to double during this round.
• 7. River: The dealer places the fifth and final community card on the table. Wagers are doubled in this final round of betting.
• 8. The River Round: The dealer places the fifth and final community card on the table. Wagers are doubled in this final round of betting.
• 9. The Showdown: When all bets on the river round have been completed, the last player to bet or raise, turns over his best five card hand. Players then take turns to show their cards, with players with the best high and best low hands winning. If no player has a qualifying low hand, the player with the highest-ranking hand wins. The pot is naturally split among all the winners.

Tips and Strategies

• 1. ”Scooping the pot”, ie. winning the best high and low hands, is twice as much profitable as winning half the pot. After the flop, if your high hand is not a sure winner, get out of the game early.
• 2. Study your opponents and see whether any mannerisms or tell tale signs give away important information about his or her hand.
• 3. Beginners, especially, should pay close attention to their cards, as they can be confusing initially.

Conclusion

The appeal of Omaha Hi/Lo lies in the fact that the game is so easy to learn, yet still requires a good understanding of its strategy before the game becomes rewarding.