How to Play Omaha HI LO

Omaha Hi Lo Poker Rules

Omaha Hi Lo Rules specify that when players show their hands, they MUST use exactly two of their private cards plus three of the five board cards.

Players can use any two of their private cards with any three board cards for their high hand, and players can also use any two of their private cards with any three board cards for their low hand. It is possible to win both high hand and low hand!

Please note the following stipulations for gameplay:

• You must have an 8 or Better to qualify for low hand.
• A low hand must be five un-paired cards (with the highest card no greater than an 8).
• A2345 is the best low hand (please note that the rules of poker for hi-lo games states that straights and flushes do not apply to low hands). However, this will also count as a straight for high. Aces can be used for both high and low.
• In order to win the low hand, players must have 5 un-paired cards with the highest card of eight or below. The winning low hand (8 or better) is first decided by the player with the lowest high card. Upon a tie with the high card, the hand goes to the player with the next lowest high card. If two highest cards are tied, then you move on to the third highest card etc. Any hand of 5 cards that contains card values of 9 or higher CANNOT qualify as a low hand.
• According to Omaha Hi Lo poker rules, If there is no qualifying low hand, then the high hand wins the entire pot.
• At the showing of hands (showdown), each player can use any five of their cards for their high hand and any five of their cards for their low hand.
• A player can "scoop" (win the entire pot) by showing the highest and lowest hands.

 

Rules Of Poker: Omaha Hi Lo Betting Structure

As you can see from the above order of action, Omaha poker games feature four betting rounds, the same as Texas Holdem.

Each bet on the first two rounds of betting is set at the lower limit of the stakes structure. For example in a $5/$10 game, all bets and raises are $5 for the first two rounds (after private cards are dealt and once the flop is spread in center of table).

The poker rules state that in Omaha Hi Lo games, the last two rounds of betting (turn card and river) are set at the higher limit of the stakes structure. For example in a $5/$10 game, all bets and raises are $10 for the last two rounds.

One bet plus three raises (making four total bets) are the maximum amount of bets allowed per betting round. This would consist of (1) a bet, (2) a raise, (3) a re-raise, and (4) a cap. The term cap is used to describe the 3rd raise in a round since betting is then capped and cannot be raised anymore.

Once any player has made the third raise (capped the pot), then players will have only the option of calling or folding.

Check-raising is allowed in all in online Omaha Hi Lo games.

Omaha Poker Rules: The Dealer Button

In order to designate which player is the theoretical dealer in Omaha poker games, a round disk is used. This disk is called the dealer button or simply "the button".

Blinds In Omaha Hi Lo Games

The player to the left of the button is first to receive a card and is required to post a small blind. The small blind is equal to half the lower limit bet rounded down to the nearest dollar. The player to the left of the small blind is required to post the big blind. The big blind is equal to the lower limit bet. These bets are referred to as blinds because players must post them before the dealer deals any cards to the players. These blinds are similar to the ante that is required in other games such as 7-Card Stud.

Both the small and the big blinds are considered live bets. They have the option of checking, calling, raising or folding when the betting action comes back around to their position. After the flop and after each subsequent betting round, the first active player left of the button is first to act.

When players first sit down to play, they will be required to post the equivalent of the big blind only once or they have the option to "sit out" until it is their natural turn to post the big blind. This rule is in place to ensure game fairness to all players. The rule prevents the possibility of players entering games in late position and then leaving before they are required to post the big blind.