Omaha Hi-Omaha Hi-Lo, also known as Omaha High-Low, O8 and Omaha 8-or-Better, is one of
the most popular and entertaining🌧️ forms of poker in the world. When the poker boom hit,
a significant number of Omaha players moved to Hold'em,🌧️ as that's where all the games
and action were. Now interest in Omaha has been rekindled thanks to its heavy🌧️ online
poker action and complexity of play compared to No-Limit Hold’em.
Almost every live and
online poker room spreads Omaha as🌧️ an alternate variation to Hold'em. Stud and its
variants are most commonly limited to the larger American casinos, while Omaha🌧️ is more
universal. Learning to play this game will open up the door for making massive profit
against players unable🌧️ to remove themselves from their Texas Hold'em mindsets.
The
majority of O8 games you will play - especially at the lower🌧️ limits - will be very
active and aggressive games with upward of five players seeing a flop every hand. This
🌧️ is even common in many higher-limit games! For the sake of this beginner Omaha Hi-Lo
Strategy guide we'll map out🌧️ basic beginner strategy for playing O8 in a
loose-aggressive cash-game.
On this page, you'll find the the basic rules of how🌧️ a
Omaha Hi-Lo poker game works, and the key differences between Omaha High and Omaha
Hi-Lo. However, if you're not🌧️ yet familiar with the rules and game play of standard
Omaha High poker, check out our dedicated guide on how🌧️ to play Omaha poker.
Omaha Hi-Lo
Basic Rules
Omaha Hi-Lo is a game where the pot is sometimes split between two or🌧️ more
players. It is mainly about winning the high hand, which is done just like in any other
game, you🌧️ should have the best hand after the river. However, if there are three cards
from 8 downwards, for example A🌧️ J 9 8 4 where A counts as both the highest and lowest,
then there is also the possibility of🌧️ a low hand qualifying.
The best high hand in the
example above is QT, which gives a straight, and the best🌧️ low hand is 23, where the
player plays 8-4-3-2-A.
The pot is then split 50/50 between the player with the high
🌧️ hand and the player with the low hand. If two or more players have QT, they share the
high pot,🌧️ and if two or more players have 23, they share the low pot.
The absolute best
hand to have in this🌧️ example is QT32 as you have both the best high hand and the best
low hand.
On a board that goes🌧️ K Q J 8 5 , for example, no low hand qualifies, which
means the high hand takes the entire🌧️ pot and ATxx is the best hand you can have. Same
here, if two or more players have ATxx they🌧️ split the pot.
That being said, you should
always focus on winning the high hand first, but it's always good to🌧️ have a low
addition to your hand. For example, if you have A K Q 4 , you have a🌧️ good opportunity
for nice high hands and at the same time A 4 can give you a low hand.
Omaha Hi-Lo🌧️ Rules
- The Showdown
Assuming you understand how to play Omaha High, let's look at what
distinguishes the two games. Omaha🌧️ Hi-Lo is a "split pot" game, meaning that at
showdown, the pot is divided in half, with one half being🌧️ awarded to the winning best
hand, and the other half to the best qualifying "low hand." If the same player🌧️ is
winning both high hand and low hand without splitting with any other players it´s
called a scoop.
The High
The winning🌧️ high hand in Omaha Hi-Lo is identical to that of
Omaha High. There are no qualification requirements for the high,🌧️ meaning there will
always be a winning high hand.
The Low
Low hands must qualify to be eligible for
winning the low🌧️ half of the pot.
A low hand is composed of any two cards from a
player's hand, and any three cards🌧️ from the board (community cards).
The cards a player
uses for his best High hand have no effect on the low.🌧️ The player can use the same
cards, different ones or a combination from his hand.
A qualifying low hand is defined
🌧️ as five unpaired cards, all with ranks at or below 8.
Aces are considered low for the
low hand.
Flushes and straights🌧️ are ignored for the low, meaning the best low possible
is A-2-3-4-5 regardless of suits.
Low hands are counted from the🌧️ top down, meaning the
hand is only as good as its highest card.
For example: A 2 3 4 5 is🌧️ lower than 2 3 5 6
7
For example: Any hand with a pair, or with a card higher than 8,🌧️ does not qualify,
even if the rank of the pair is below 8.
Suits do not count toward a low; any🌧️ players
sharing the exact same low must equally split the low half of the pot. (Winning half of
the Low🌧️ pot, and nothing from the High pot is known as being quartered.)
Omaha Hi-Lo
Poker Hand Rules In this table we🌧️ are showing an example of a split pot in Omaha Hi-Lo.
Board 4 4 5 5 7 7 Q Q🌧️ A A Player 1: A A 2 2 K K K K Player 2: A A 3 3 Q Q🌧️ Q Q High
Winner Player 2 wins with three-of-a-kind queens Q Q Q Q Q Q A A 7 7🌧️ Low Winner Player
1 wins with a 7-5-4-2-A Low 7 7 5 5 4 4 2 2 A A Player🌧️ 2 wins the High Hand using Q Q
from his hand to make three of a kind Queens which is🌧️ better than Player 1's best High
hand which is K K A 7 5 . Player 1 wins the Low🌧️ hand using A 2 from his hand. Player 2
also have a low hand qualifying but has A 3 in🌧️ his hand which is why Player 1
wins.
Omaha Hi-Lo Scoop Rules (Winning both High Hand and Low Hand) In this🌧️ table we
are showing an example of a player winning both High and Low (Scoop) in Omaha Hi-Lo.
Board K🌧️ K 3 3 4 4 8 8 2 2 Player 1: A A K K Q Q 2 2 Player🌧️ 2: J J J J 7 7 6 6 High
Winner Player 2 wins with a flush, jack-high J J🌧️ 10 10 4 4 3 3 2 2 Low Winner Player 2
wins with a 7-6-4-3-2 Low 7 7 6🌧️ 6 4 4 3 3 2 2 In this pot, Player 2 scoops with the
best high hand and the🌧️ best low hand. Many players will think that Player 1 will win
the low because A-2 is a lot lower🌧️ than 6-7. But the fact is that you count the highest
card in your low hand first, meaning that Player🌧️ 1 has an 8, (8-4-3-2-A) while Player 2
has a 7, (7-6-4-3-2) and that makes Player 2's hand the winning🌧️ low hand.
Additional
Omaha Poker Hi-Lo Rules
If there is an extra odd chip, unable to be split in half, this
chip🌧️ is always added to the pot awarded to the winning high hand.
If there is no
qualifying low hand the entire🌧️ pot is awarded to player with the winning high
hand.
Players can win one or both halves of the pot with🌧️ the same or different cards
from their hand.
A player does not have to announce what half of the pot she's🌧️ playing
for at the beginning of the hand. This is only required in other variations of poker,
known as "declare"🌧️ games.
Omaha Hi-Lo Poker Strategy
Loose Omaha Hi-Lo is when five or
more people see the flop on average. It's a fascinating🌧️ game and quite different from
any other form of poker. This game has become increasingly popular due to the fact
🌧️ there is so much action involved. In loose Omaha Hi-Lo, the expert player does not have
a huge edge over🌧️ the intermediate player, but both have a considerable edge over the
weak player. Loose Omaha Hi-Lo is a hand-value-driven game,🌧️ which means that there is
not much bluffing or semi-bluffing involved.
Keep in mind that the strategies outlined
in this text🌧️ are for beating a loose Omaha Hi-Lo game. Some of them may not work in a
tight/aggressive high-limit Omaha Hi-Lo🌧️ game. The article assumes basic knowledge of
the rules and structure of the game. If you are unsure about what🌧️ it means to scoop the
pot, get quartered or counterfeited or know how to calculate pot odds, we recommend
that🌧️ you refer to the book suggestions at the end of this article. Note: all
information contained in this article consists🌧️ of general advice on how to play.
Remember that in poker there are always exceptions to the rules.
How to Win🌧️ at Omaha
Hi-Lo
Just like Omaha Hi, O8 is considered to be a nut game. Meaning that if you don't
have🌧️ the nut hand, there's a very good chance you will NOT win the pot. For this reason
you want to🌧️ be very selective in the hands you play and only play hands with "nut"
potential. The most important thing to🌧️ remember is the scooping advice. Your main goal
in O8 is to win both the high and the low.
In reality,🌧️ scooping (winning both the high
and low) is a difficult thing to do and, for the most part, rather rare.🌧️ When playing
Omaha your goal is to play for the high with a redraw to the low. If you have🌧️ the nut
high you're guaranteed half the pot. Holding nothing but the nut low still puts you at
risk for🌧️ being quartered or worse
Seldom raise before the flop. Remember that your aim
is to scoop the pot. Be able to🌧️ fold on the flop very often. Play premium starting
hands. Select your table carefully. Only play in loose games where🌧️ 5+ players see the
flop on average. Hone your ability to quickly calculate accurate Omaha odds.
All of
this advice is🌧️ very general but will serve you well if you apply it judiciously. Seldom
raising before the flop does not mean🌧️ that you should never ever raise before the flop,
though. But in a game like O8 with almost-guaranteed high and🌧️ loose action, raising
before the flop with anything less than a premium hand does little more than increase
the size🌧️ of the pot.
Key advice for Limit Omaha Hi-Lo
Starting Hands & Pre-flop
You
should play approximately 30%-35% of your hands.
Only play hands🌧️ that include A-2, A-3
or 2-3 for low hand (although a backup low card adds value.)
Starting hands should have
four🌧️ cards (9+) for high hand. (bar A-9 hands with two big cards which you shouldn't
play at all.)
To mix up🌧️ your play, occasionally play A-4 and A-5 suited if the other
two cards also work well with the hand.
Fold most🌧️ hands that have 7, 8 or 9. Most of
these hands have negative EV .
. Don't raise in early position🌧️ with your good A-2
hands. Instead, raise in late position with several callers ahead to build a pot with
the🌧️ best hand.
Flop
When you hit a good flop, play more aggressively.
Fold your hand on
the flop very often.
Play hands that are🌧️ capable of scooping the pot.
Turn &
River
Don't play after the flop if you don't have the nut potential.
Occasionally bluff
on🌧️ the river if there's no low hand out.
You should bluff infrequently.
Only play
marginal starting hands in late position, when several🌧️ players called before
you.
Common Mistakes in Limit Omaha Hi-Lo
Playing too many starting hands. Calling all
the way with only a🌧️ high or only a low potential. Seeing flops with four middle cards,
like 6-7-8-9. Raising with A-2 in early position🌧️ and making players fold instead of
seeing the flop cheaply with more players in. Calling with only a low draw🌧️ when the
flop comes with two high cards. Calling with just a high draw when the flop comes with
two🌧️ low cards.
Omaha Hi-Lo Starting Hands
The best starting hands in Omaha Hi-Lo are
A-A-2-3 double-suited followed by A-A-2-4 double-suited. This kind🌧️ of hand is very
strong because it can be played for both high and low, which gives it great scoop
🌧️ potential. Of course, being suited or (even better) double-suited adds value to every
hand.
With four cards in Omaha it is🌧️ possible to create 16,432 unique combinations.
This fact, combined with the possibilities of winning with both a low and a🌧️ high hand,
makes a top list of starting hands in loose O8 very different from those for other
poker games.🌧️ Since there are so many more kinds of playable hands in loose Omaha Hi-Lo
than in Hold'em, a list limited🌧️ to the top 100 starting hands leaves out too many
playable four-card combinations.
However, the following lists should provide you with🌧️ a
good idea of what types of starting hands are strong in loose Omaha Hi-Lo.
Best
Starting Hands in Omaha Hi-Lo
It🌧️ is essential that you consider how all of these hands
vary in strength, depending on the x-card/s and whether the🌧️ hand is non-suited, suited
or double-suited. All x-cards containing a 6-9 usually weaken the hand. However, in
general, all of🌧️ these combinations are strong hands in loose Omaha Hi-Lo. For example,
an A-2-K-K double-suited is significantly stronger than an A-2-Q-8🌧️ non-suited, even
though both hands belong in the A-2-x-x category. Furthermore, an A-A-K-K double-suited
is quite a bit stronger than🌧️ an A-A-Q-7 non-suited, etc.
Underneath follows a hi lo
hand rankings with the best omaha hi lo starting hands;
A-A-2-3 double-suited A-A-2-4
🌧️ double-suited A-A-2-3 suited A-A-2-5 double-suited A-A-2-4 suited A-A-3-4 double-suited
A-A-2-3 non-suited A-A-2-2 double-suited A-A-3-5 double-suited A-A-2-6
double-suited
More Profitable starting Hands🌧️ in Omaha Hi-Lo:
A-A-2-x A-A-3-x A-A-4-5
A-2-3-x A-2-K-K A-2-Q-Q A-2-J-J A-3-4-5 A-A-x-x A-2-K-Q A-2-K-J A-2-x-x (suited ace)
A-3-K-K A-3-4-x 2-3-4-5 (fold🌧️ if there is no ace on the flop) J-Q-K-A T-J-Q-K K-K-Q-J
Q-J-T-9 2-3-4-x (fold if there is no ace on🌧️ the flop)
Don't get overzealous with any
A-2-xx hand.
Generally, you should only play hands that include an A-2, A-3 or 2-3🌧️ for
low hand along with a high-card combination with strong "nut-making" potential. You
should occasionally play A-4 suited and A-5🌧️ suited if the other two cards work well
with the hand. This is a marginal hand at best, but can🌧️ be a useful holding for mixing
up your play.
Although A-2 will make the nut low more often than any other🌧️ two-card
combination, it's a losing-money proposition to be overly aggressive with weak hands
containing strictly low possibilities. Usually, don't raise🌧️ in early position with your
good A-2 hands. Instead, raise with them in late position when there are several
callers🌧️ in front of you. This type of raise builds the pot when you're likely to have
the best hand going🌧️ in. With an A-2 hand you want to encourage large pots with many
runners. Getting quartered with A-2 with six🌧️ players in the pot will be profitable,
while it will lose you a significant amount of money when heads-up.
You're also🌧️ better
off folding hands that hold two gaps (for example A-4-5-9). The chances of making a
straight are <1% and🌧️ you rarely win low. Hands like 3-4-5-6, 4-5-6-7, 5-6-7-8 and
6-7-8-9 also have a negative expected value. Omaha variants being🌧️ the nut games they
are, these sorts of middle-connected hands are useless. They have a very low
possibility of making🌧️ the nuts and thus should not be played.
High pairs with two
random cards like K-K-x-x or Q-Q-x-x are rarely, if🌧️ ever, playable on a full table,
although a high pair with two low cards that also make your hand suited🌧️ or
double-suited is playable in most games. For example K-K-2-4 double-suited is a
playable hand with decent scooping potential. Be🌧️ sure not to over-value the hand when
hitting second nuts.
Trap Hands in Omaha Hi-Lo
A hand like A-4-4-4 suited is a🌧️ trap
hand. With this hand, you do not have much high potential and chances are that you will
make second-best🌧️ low hand. The odds for winning the low hand are only 1% and for making
a flush, only 4%. Hands🌧️ that hold two gaps are often best to fold. The chances of
making a straight are under 1% and you🌧️ seldom win the low (for example, A-4-5-9).
Hands
like 3-4-5-6, 4-5-6-7, 5-6-7-8 and 6-7-8-9 are hands that have a negative expected
🌧️ value. You will not win enough times with the low hand and will too seldom make the nut
straight. High🌧️ pairs with two random cards like K-K-x-x or Q-Q-x-x are not playable,
although a high pair with two low cards🌧️ that also make your hand double-suited is
playable in most games. For example K-K-2-4 double-suited is playable.
How to Play
Pocket🌧️ Aces in Omaha Hi-Lo
You could raise with pocket aces and two high cards from an
early position to limit the🌧️ field. Since this type of hand plays well short-handed,
especially if the flop brings three high-value cards. At this point,🌧️ the hand will play
out the same as Omaha high, with you having the best hand. An exception to raising🌧️ in
this context occurs in a situation where the raise is not likely to limit the field. In
a game🌧️ where the other players are going to be seeing a flop, regardless of the price
(such as most online low🌧️ stakes games), it's most beneficial to simply call.
A pair of
aces alone is not a high enough to get embroiled🌧️ in the hand if three small cards peel
off. You'll be playing a weak high hand for a poor percentage🌧️ at half the pot. With
this type of hand it's very hard to scoop the pot and you don't flop🌧️ the nut low hand
often enough to make this hand profitable.
Hands such as A-2-3-4 rainbow are a marginal
starting hand🌧️ and should be played diligently. If you have the nut low with an A-4 or a
3-4 you're far more🌧️ likely to take the whole low pot than with a more commonly played
A-2. In a situation where A-2 is🌧️ the second-nut low, only to a 3-4 or some other more
random holding, you can gain a large number of🌧️ chips from players who overvalue their
low holdings. At the same time it can be a risky play to pump🌧️ a pot with nothing but a
nut low. Running into a player sharing your low will get you quartered for🌧️ a
significant loss on the hand. I can't stress this enough: always play for the high with
low redraws.
You should🌧️ only play this type of hand if you have two other good cards to
go with your high pair. For🌧️ example, if your hand is double-suited and/or has low
potential, like a Q-Q-2-3 double-suited. There is no reason to ever🌧️ play a naked high
pair such as a rainbow K-K-6-9. This hand is -EV in O8 because it only has🌧️ a weak high,
with no low draw.
Raising Before the Flop
Four low cards : With this type of hand it is
🌧️ hard to scoop the pot and you do not flop the nut low hand often enough to make this
hand🌧️ profitable. If you do not hold an A-2, A-3 or 2-3, avoid playing this type of
hand.
: With this type🌧️ of hand it is hard to scoop the pot and you do not flop the nut
low hand often enough🌧️ to make this hand profitable. If you do not hold an A-2, A-3 or
2-3, avoid playing this type of🌧️ hand. Four high cards : This type of hand can be worth
playing for a high hand though you should🌧️ be prepared to fold if there are two or three
low cards on the flop.
: This type of hand can🌧️ be worth playing for a high hand though
you should be prepared to fold if there are two or three🌧️ low cards on the flop. High
pairs: You should only play this type of hand if you have two other🌧️ good cards to go
with your high pair. For example, if your hand is double-suited and/or has low
potential, like🌧️ a Q-Q-2-3 double-suited.
You should not raise in early position with
your premium hands in loose Omaha Hi-Lo. You do not🌧️ want to reduce the field and commit
a lot of money until you have seen the flop. If you are🌧️ sitting in late position and
there are a couple of limpers in front of you, then you should raise in🌧️ order to build
the pot.
Again, if you hold an A-A and a low card (like a two or three) or🌧️ an ace
suited, do not raise before the flop in early position. You want to avoid forcing your
opponents to🌧️ fold since these types of hands work very well in multi-way pots.
You
could raise with pocket aces and two high🌧️ cards from an early position to limit the
field, since this type of hand plays well short-handed. An exception to🌧️ raising would
be if the raise is not likely to limit the field. If that is the case, it is🌧️ most
beneficial to call. However, if the flop comes with two or three low cards, fold this
hand.
How to Play🌧️ the Flop in Omaha Hi-Lo
Count the pot and the number of outs you have
to make your hand and then🌧️ determine if it is profitable to draw. You should only call
with a drawing hand if you think you will🌧️ get paid off if you hit. (This is solid poker
advice, applicable to all forms of poker, not just O8.)🌧️ Consider which opponents you
are up against and how they play their hands. Be prepared to fold your hand on🌧️ the flop
very often. Many newbies give away too many bets seeing turns with low-probability
hands. When you hit, play🌧️ more aggressively. Be ready to raise in a big pot if the flop
gives you many different draws. A good🌧️ example is if you hit a something like a weak
flush draw, the nut low draw and an inside straight🌧️ draw. You should then raise to
force your opponents out and give your hand a better chance to win if🌧️ you hit. If you
are lucky enough to hit the inside straight giving you the nut high, it will be🌧️ well
disguised and you are likely to be paid off. However, be prepared to release your hand
if there is🌧️ heavy action behind you on the flop. If you flop a straight or weak flush
draw and there exists no🌧️ chance for a low, you're best to fold, or play the pot
cheaply. If you flop the nut-flush draw and🌧️ there exists no chance for a low, whether
you call or fold is dependent on the odds - that is🌧️ to say, on the size of the bet,
size of the pot and size of the remaining stacks. With a🌧️ pair on the board, you should
release your flush and straight draws. There is little worse in poker than paying🌧️ to
draw dead. Don't draw for a low when the flop comes with two high cards. Similarly, do
not draw🌧️ for a high when the flop comes with two low cards, unless your hand consists
of additional values, such as🌧️ a flush draw.
Three low cards on the flop Straight draw
and there exists no chance for a low FOLD Flush🌧️ draw (not nut flush draw) and there
exists no chance for a low FOLD Nut flush draw and there exists🌧️ no chance for a low
CALL/FOLD Two suited cards on the flop Flush draw and no low draw Only go🌧️ for NUT flush
draw Pair on the board FOLD flush/straight draws
How to Play the Turn in Omaha
Hi-Lo
Play a straightforward🌧️ (ABC) game.
In general, you should fold if there are three
suited cards on the board and you do not have🌧️ the flush.
It is best to fold if there is
a pair on the board and you do not have trips🌧️ or a full house.
You should fold if there
is a potential straight on the board and you do not have🌧️ a good draw for a better
hand.
If you have the nut hand, you should usually attempt a check-raise.
How to Play
🌧️ the River in Omaha Hi-Lo
You should play the same as on the turn.
Play aggressively if
you think you have the🌧️ best hand.
Occasionally you can bluff if there is no possibility
of a low hand.
Omaha Hi-Lo Odds and Statistics
Outs are the🌧️ number of cards that will
improve your hand. For instance, you hold two clubs and two clubs are on the🌧️ board.
There are nine clubs left in the deck. You now have nine outs to make a flush. The
following🌧️ examples of O8 odds are not meant for you to memorize. Knowing that a flop is
16.2% to come all🌧️ low cards is no more helpful than knowing that it's somewhere around
15%.
Number of Outs % On Flop (2 cards🌧️ to go) % On Turn (1 card to go) 1 4.4 2.3 2 8.8
4.5 3 13.0 6.8 4 17.2🌧️ 9.1 5 21.2 11.4 6 25.2 13.6 7 29.0 15.6 8 32.7 18.2 9 36.7 20.5
10 39.9 22.7 11🌧️ 43.3 25.0 12 46.7 27.3 13 49.9 29.6 14 53.0 31.8 15 56.1 34.1 16 41.0
36.7 17 61.8 38.6🌧️ 18 64.5 40.1 19 67.2 43.2 20 69.7 45.5 21 72.1 47.7 22 74.4 50.0 23
76.7 52.3 24 78.8🌧️ 54.5 25 80.8 56.8 26 82.7 59.1 27 84.6 61.4 28 86.3 63.6 29 87.9 66.0
30 89.4 68.2
Odds and🌧️ Statistics
If you hold a hand such as A-2-3-4, there is a 5.6%
chance that the flop will not contain any🌧️ low card, a 32% probability that it will
include one low card, a 45.6% possibility that it will contain two🌧️ low cards and a
16.2% chance that the flop contains all low cards
If you have a high hand, the chance
🌧️ of a high flop containing two or three high cards is 30%
You are dealt an A-2-x-x about
6.2% of the🌧️ time and an A-2-3-x about 1% of the time
If you hold an A-2 in a
nine-handed game, there is a🌧️ 36% likelihood that one or more players also hold an
A-2
In a nine-handed game about 50% of all players will🌧️ be dealt a pocket pair before
the flop
If the board has not paired on the flop or the turn, it🌧️ will pair on the river
27.3% of the time
Play Free Omaha Poker Hi-Lo Online
If you're looking to try out some
🌧️ Omaha Hi-Lo poker games online you can play them entirely free without having to make a
deposit. Simply create a🌧️ new account at one of the poker sites above that offer Omaha
Hi-Lo games and search the "Play Money" lobby🌧️ for the Omaha Hi-Lo tables. You likely
won't find too much action there but you will have a chance to🌧️ try out the game for
free. Once you're ready to play online poker for real money you can easily make🌧️ a
deposit to your account and move over to the real money Omaha Hi-Lo tables.
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