Omaha Hi-Lo

This popular version of standard Omaha pays high and low hands, rewarding each with half the pot. Generally, the low hand must be 8 low or better to qualify for the win (example hands below). As in standard Omaha you must use two of the 4 hole cards you are dealt to make your high and low hands. You may use different cards for your high and low hands, making it possible to win both halves of the pot. If there is no qualifying low hand, the high hand wins the entire pot.

Examples and strategies

So, to qualify for the low hand, your five counting cards need to be 8 low or better. The lowest high card wins if there is more than one qualifying hand. If two players have the same high card, then the next lowest card wins. This is best shown in these examples:

Player 1:
8, 6, 4, 2, A
Player 2:
7, 6, 4, 3, 2
Player 2 wins, as 7 is lowest high card.

Player 1:
8, 6, 4, 2, A
Player 2:
8, 7, 4, 3, A
Player 1 wins, as 6 is next lowest high card.

Player 1:
8, 6, 4, 2, A
Player 2:
8, 6, 3, 2, A
Player 2 wins, as 3 is winning high card.

Player 1:
8, 7, 6, 4, 2
Player 2:
8, 7, 6, 5, A
Player 1 wins, as 4 is winning high card.

Player 1:
8, 6, 5, 4, 2
Player 2:
8, 6, 5, 4, A
Player 2 wins, as Ace is winning high card.

Betting follows exactly the same schedule as Omaha and Texas Holdem. This version of poker takes quite a bit of learning, so play some low stakes and some home games to get your knowledge and experience up before tackling higher stakes online.

Tips
As you MUST use two of your 4 hole cards to make a hand, if there are not 3 board cards 8 or lower, then it is not possible for a low hand to be in play, so you will be playing an all high pot.

Good luck!