The Rules of Omaha Hi Lo Online

The main difference between the Omaha Hi Lo rules and those of regular Omaha poker is only perceived at the end of the game. Under the rules of Omaha Hi Lo, the prize pool is divided between two players. Both the highest hand (hi hand) and the lowest hand (lo hand) get to win. Omaha Hi Lo is also known as Omaha High Low or Omaha 8 or Better because a "low" hand must contain a combination of five cards equal or lower than 8. Note that aces are worth 1.

How it works

The players are dealt four cards each and the player immediately to the dealer’s left must place half the minimum bet. This player is called "small blind". The small blind and the dealer are usually represented by virtual buttons called "the dealer button" and “the small blind button”. Once the small blind has bet, the next player must bet the minimum amount. This player is called the "big blind".

Once the first two bets have been made, each player is dealt four cards (they can only be seen by the respective player). After this, the players call, raise or fold, beginning with the player sitting to the left of the big blind. When the betting turn returns to the small blind, this player can choose to fold and only lose the small bet or call the necessary amount. The big blind is the last to speak before the community cards are revealed on the table.

The dealer or the online casino software now reveals three of the five cards on the table. This is called "the flop". The second betting round begins after this. Then the fourth card is revealed on the table. This is called "the turn". Then another betting round begins. The fifth and final card is called “the river” and once it has been revealed, the last round of betting begins.

It is now time for the "showdown". All players are trying to form the best combination possible out of their four individual cards and the five cards on the table. A hand must contain a total of five cards and can make a profit if it is high or how, i.e. the highest or lowest possible combination. Whether it is low or high, a winning hand is called "scooping the pot."

A qualifying low hand

 

As mentioned earlier, a qualifying low hand consisting of five cards, each lower than 9. An ace has the lowest value. A straight or a flush are good for a low hand. The best low hand is an ace, 2, 3, 4 and 5 combination and the worst one is 8, 7, 6, 5 and 4. If no one has a qualifying low hand, the high hand wins the whole pot.


The Omaha Hi Lo rules may seem easy, but as in all poker games, it takes a lot of training to be good. Take advantage and use casino bonus codes to receive a bonus. It may not a bad idea to train in one of the many free poker rooms before you play the game with real money. You will be familiar with the rules after playing a number of games and you will probably learn a lot the strategies which can help you to win.