How to Play: Omaha 8ob
Aliases: Omaha Hi/Low
Description:
Omaha 8 or Better, also known as Omaha Hi-Lo, is a variant of Omaha Poker that splits the pot between the highest and lowest hands. The low hand must qualify with five cards of rank 8 or lower.
Objective
The objective of Omaha 8 or Better is to create the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand (if possible) using exactly two of your four hole cards and three of the five community cards.
Game Setup
- Each player is dealt four hole cards face down.
- Five community cards are dealt face up in the center of the table.
- Blinds are posted: the small blind by the player to the left of the dealer, and the big blind by the next player to the left.
Betting Rounds
Pre-Flop
After receiving their hole cards, players have the option to call, raise, or fold. Betting starts with the player to the left of the big blind.
The Flop
Three community cards are dealt face up, followed by a round of betting.
The Turn
A fourth community card is dealt face up, followed by another round of betting.
The River
The fifth and final community card is dealt face up, followed by the final round of betting.
The Showdown
After the final betting round, remaining players reveal their hole cards. The pot is split between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand. If no low hand qualifies, the high hand wins the entire pot.
Hand Rankings
High Hand Rankings
- Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10, all of the same suit.
- Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit.
- Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank.
- Full House: Three of a kind plus a pair.
- Flush: Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence.
- Straight: Five consecutive cards of any suit.
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank.
- Two Pair: Two different pairs.
- One Pair: Two cards of the same rank.
- High Card: The highest card in the hand if no other hand is made.
Low Hand Qualifications
A low hand must consist of five different cards ranked 8 or lower. Aces are low for the low hand. Straights and flushes do not disqualify a low hand.
- Best Low Hand: 5, 4, 3, 2, A (also known as the wheel).
- Other qualifying low hands include combinations like 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 or 8, 7, 6, 5, 4.
Tips for Playing
- Understand that you must use exactly two hole cards and three community cards for both high and low hands.
- Look for hands that have potential for both high and low to maximize your chances of winning a share of the pot.
- Pay attention to the community cards to gauge the possible hands of your opponents.
Game Type: Flop, turn and river
Split Game: Yes
Cards Dealt: 4
Max Players: 8
Best Possible Hand(s):
Sample Board(s):
