Omaha Hold’em (also known as just Omaha) is a game that plays similar to Texas Hold’em, but with a few 0️⃣ key differences.
Like Texas Hold’em, the object of Omaha is to make the best possible five-card hand, using a combination of 0️⃣ hole cards and five community cards.
In Omaha, however, players are dealt four hole cards, and must make a five-card hand 0️⃣ using exactly two hole cards and three community cards. This differs from Texas Hold’em, in which players get two hole 0️⃣ cards, and can use any combination of hole cards and community cards to make the best five-card hand.
Two versions of 0️⃣ Omaha are commonly played around the world, Pot Limit Omaha and Omaha Hi-Lo (aka Omaha Eight or Better). The next 0️⃣ sections will cover Omaha Hi-Lo. Learn how to play Pot Limit Omaha here.
Omaha Hi Lo Rules Overview
Omaha 8, also known 0️⃣ as Omaha Eight or Better, or Omaha high low split ('Hi/Lo'), is a split pot game. The best high hand 0️⃣ wins half of the pot, and the best low hand wins the other half of the pot.
Much like its cousin, 0️⃣ Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha 8 or Better involves four hole cards for each player. The object of Omaha 8 is 0️⃣ to make the best five-card high hand, and/or best five-card low hand, using exactly two hole cards and three community 0️⃣ cards. Different combinations of cards can be used by a player to make separate high and low hands.
It is possible 0️⃣ for a player to win both the high and low portions of the pot--known as "scooping". If there is no 0️⃣ qualifying low hand (five cards below 8), the best high hand will scoop the whole pot.
Omaha 8 can be played 0️⃣ as a limit, pot limit or even no limit game. The most common variant is Limit Omaha 8 or Better, 0️⃣ which is also the variant included in most mixed games. For more on the different betting structures used in Omaha 0️⃣ 8, click on the "Limit vs. No Limit vs. Pot Limit" tab above.
How to play Limit Omaha 8 or Better 0️⃣ poker:
Limit Omaha 8 or Better uses a "blinds" structure: The player to the left of the dealer button puts in 0️⃣ the small blind, and the player two to the left of the button puts in the big blind.
The player to 0️⃣ the left of the dealer button puts in the small blind, and the player two to the left of the 0️⃣ button puts in the big blind. Each player is dealt four cards face down, starting with the player to the 0️⃣ left of the dealer.
starting with the player to the left of the dealer. There is a round of betting where 0️⃣ each player can fold, call, or raise. (Action starts with the player to the left of the big blind.)
(Action starts 0️⃣ with the player to the left of the big blind.) The flop (three cards), a turn and a river are 0️⃣ dealt with betting rounds following each.
At showdown, players must use exactly 2 hole cards to make their best 5 card 0️⃣ high and low hand. The same cards can be used to make a high and a low hand.
The same cards 0️⃣ can be used to make a high and a low hand. A low hand qualifies for half of the pot 0️⃣ when it is an 8-low or better. If there is no qualifying low hand, the high hand scoops the entire 0️⃣ pot.
If there is no qualifying low hand, the high hand scoops the entire pot. Omaha 8 or Better is usually 0️⃣ a fixed limit game, meaning players can only bet and raise a set amount - one big blind preflop and 0️⃣ on the flop, and two big blinds on the turn and river. Only four bets may go in on each 0️⃣ street, which is why the 4th bet is called the "cap".
Showdown and Hand Rankings:
The high hand rankings follow traditional poker 0️⃣ hand rankings.
The low hand follows the A-to-5 lowball hand rankings, in which Aces are the lowest card and flushes and 0️⃣ straights don’t count against your hand. This makes 5-4-3-2-A the best possible low hand (and a strong high hand in 0️⃣ its own right). The worst qualifying low hand is 8-7-6-5-4.
Check out this article for some Omaha 8 or Better (and 0️⃣ limit Hold'em) strategy tips.
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