How to play Omaha Hi-Lo

Omaha Hi-Lo is the kind of Omaha, where the pot can be split into two parts: Hi, won by the player with the strongest combination, and Lo, in which the winner is the player with the lowest combination made of cards of certain rank.

One player can win the whole pot only in two cases, either:

• No other player was eligible for the Lo pot
• The player had the best combination for both Lo and Hi pots

The general rules and actions on each round of play are the same as in Omaha Hi, with the difference in the combination ranking for Lo pot and rules for splitting the pot.

Combination ranking in Omaha Hi-Lo

The seniority of combinations in Omaha Hi-Lo is similar to that in Hold’Em or Omaha Hi:

• High card;
• A pair;
• Two pair;
• Three of a kind (set, trips)*;
• Straight;
• Flush;
• Full House;
• Four of a kind;
• Straight Flush;
• Royal Flush.

For the Lo pot, only the cards of ranks from A to 8 are counted. Here, the cards must not repeat in rank, so the weakest eligible hand is 87654, and the strongest is 5432A. The combination is also made of 2 hole cards and 3 board cards.

Game phases in Omaha Hi/Lo

First is the preflop phase. The players are dealt 4 hole cards also known as a hand. Before the players see their cards, they post ante. Additionally, the first two players on the left from the button (dealer) post blinds. The first of them posts a small blind, the second posts a big blind, which is usually equal to two small blinds.

Then, the players are revealed their hole cards, and each of them takes actions in a clockwise order: the first is the one to the left of the big blind, the last is the player in the big blind position.

When all bets are made, the three community cards are dealt called the flop. Now, the first player to act is the one on the big blind, then the rest of the players act in the clockwise order with the last being the player on the button. If the small blind player folded their hand preflop, then the first to act on the flop is the nearest remaining player to the left of them.

After all players have acted, the single community card is dealt called the turn. Here, the order of action is similar to the flop.

The last community card is called the river. Here, the last round of betting is done, and if there is still more than one player remaining, their cards are revealed. The first to reveal their hand is the player who made the last raise, and if there were no raises, then in the clockwise order starting from the small blind.

The Hi pot is won by the player with the strongest combination, and the Lo pot is the player with the lowest combination. If there are no eligible hands for Lo pots, then the Lo pot is not split, and the winner is determined only by the Hi combination.

How to find Omaha Hi/Lo cash games

In the PokerKing lobby go to the “OMAHA & STUD” section and click the “OMAHA Hi/Lo” tab. Below, you can also select limits (High, Medium, Low and Micro) and Play Money.

How to find Omaha Hi/Lo tournaments

In the PokerKing lobby go to the “TOURNEY” section, “ALL” tabs. Then open “FILTERS” and tick all the boxes of the desired Omaha Hi/Lo variations.