Omaha Hi Lo Rules

This version of Omaha goes by many names, the most common being Omaha HI-LO, Omaha high-low, and Omaha 8 or better. Few people are aware that Omaha 8 or better is this game's original name. It's played exactly like Omaha Hi, but the difference being at the showdown, because the pot is split between the highest hand and the lowest hand. The best hand is A,2,3,4,5.

Another difference is that the most common form of Omaha 8 or better is fixed limit, whereas Omaha Hi is primarily Pot Limit. A low hand is any five cards lower (and) 8. A,2,3,5,7 for example. Just like Holdem, Omaha Hi-Lo players must put in forced bets, otherwise known as the small blind and the big blind. The small blind is always half of the big blind, with rare exceptions, (.10/.25) for example. Again, similar to Holdem, there are four rounds of betting. The most common form of Omaha Hi/Lo is fixed Limit (you can bet only as much as the low bet at any stage of the hand.)

In limit Omaha Hi/Lo, the first two rounds of betting have to equal the size of the small blind. The final two rounds will be the Big Blind. For example, when playing $5/$10 Omaha Hi/Lo, bets during the two first rounds have to be in increments of 5 dollars, and increments of 10 dollars during the last two rounds.

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Step By Step Omaha Hi/Lo Rules

1. The person to the left of the dealer puts out the small blind, and the person to the small blind's left puts in the Big Blind. (Any antes would have already been taken) Every player that's at the table is dealt four face-down "hole" cards.

2. The action is given to the person to the left of the Big Blind, who can fold, call, or raise. Each player gets a turn in a clockwise rotation, with the big blind going last.

3. Three cards are now dealt face up in the middle of the table. This is known as the flop, which is the first three of five community cards that all players can share. Now the first player to the dealer button's left, who's still in the hand, acts first.

4. After all remaining players have had their turn; a fourth community card is dealt face-up. This is called the turn, or Fourth Street. Another round of betting ensues.

5. Finally the last community card is dealt face-up. This is called the river, or Fifth Street. A final round of betting is done.

6. All remaining players that are still in the hand show their cards, and the best 5 card hand (using 2 hole cards, and 3 community cards), wins the pot. (highest and or lowest hands.)

Be sure to also check out omaha rules.