Omaha Hi-Lo, also referred to as “Omaha/8″ or “Omaha 8-or better,” has
become a very popular worldwide game, especially with the proliferation of
online poker sites over the last 10 years. Newcomers to the game often find
the rules a little bewildering initially, but with regular large pots, Omaha
Hi-Lo makes an enjoyable departure from games such as Texas Hold ‘Em.
Synopsis of Play
The game is played with a standard 52-card deck. Each player receives 4
face-down hole cards, of which only that player has sight. A further 5
“communal” cards are dealt in the middle of the table, for use by all
players. Each player must use 2 of their hole cards with 3 communal cards to
make thee best possible 5-card hand. The game derives its name from the fact
that the pot is split equally between the best “high” hand and the best
“low” hand; there is an “8 or better” qualifier, such that a hand must be 8,
7, 6, 5, 4 or lower to be entitled to the low share of the pot.
How to Play Omaha Hi-Lo Online
In the online game, a small marker, known as the “dealer button” denotes the
nominal dealer for each hand. Prior to any cards being dealt, the player to
the left of the dealer places the obligatory “small blind” bet. The next
player posts the “big blind” bet, usually twice the value of the small
blind. The dealer button moves one place to the left after each hand, so all
players take turns at posting the blind bets. Players are then dealt 4 hole
cards. Betting commences with the player to the left of the big blind and
continues clockwise round the table.
Betting
In keeping with other types of poker, Omaha Hi-Lo betting options are
“fold,” “check,” “call” or “raise,” the action taken dependent on the
strength of a hand and the actions of earlier players. If no player has made
a wager in a particular betting round, a player may check, although if a bet
has been made, later players must fold, call or raise.
First Betting Round
Having received their hole cards, the first round of betting action
commences. The player immediately following the big blind can fold, call or
raise. A call must be equal to the big blind value and a raise twice that
value. Betting proceeds until all non-folding (active) players have made
equal bets.
Second Betting Round
At the conclusion of the first betting round, 3 communal cards, known as the
“flop” are dealt into the middle of the table. The first active player to
the left of the dealer instigates the betting action, which continues as
previously
Third Betting Round
At the end of betting in the flop round, the 4th communal card, known as the
“turn” card is dealt. Play again starts with the first active player
clockwise from the dealer.
Fourth Betting Round
At the conclusion of betting action in the turn round, the 5th communal
card, known as the “river” card is dealt. The final betting round is opened
by the first active player to the left of the dealer.
Determining the Winner(s)
Assuming that more than one active player remains at the end of the last
round of betting, the final person to bet / raise reveals their cards. If no
bet was made in the final round, the first remaining player to the left of
the dealer displays their cards first. 50% of the pot goes to the player
with the best high 5-card hand, with the player with the best low hand
collecting the other half. In the event of tied hands, the high and low
halves of the pot are divided equally between the players involved in the
tie. If there is no low qualifying hand, the best high hand wins all the
pot.
“Limit” Games
Omaha Hi-Lo rules stay the same for “Limit” games, although the betting
structure changes in the several variations of the game.
Limit Omaha Hi-Lo
In Limit games, the big blind is the same amount as the minimum table stake,
with the small blind usually half that amount, although this may vary
depending on the stakes involved. For example, in a $15 / $30 Limit game,
the small blind is $10 and the big blind $15. Prior to and during the flop
round, all bets and raises must be the same value as that of the big blind.
In subsequent rounds, bets and raises are doubled. Each player is allowed up
to 4 bets in each round of betting, including a bet, raise, re-raise and
“cap” (final raise).
Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo
In “Pot Limit” Omaha Hi-Lo, players may bet up to the size of the pot, but
the lowest wager is set at the value of the big blind. The value of the
minimum in any round of betting raise must be equal to any bet / raise made
by an earlier player. The highest possible raise is the value of the pot,
from which the “Pot Limit” term is derived. The pot size comprises the
active pot, all bets on the table, along with the amount a player must call
before raising. Assuming no earlier betting, in a round where the pot stands
at $100, a player can place a wager up to $100. A later player can raise any
amount from the minimum $100 to a maximum of $400. The raising player must
call $100, increasing the pot to $300, then raise a further $300, thus the
total bet is $400. The game differs from Limit Omaha Hi-Lo insofar as there
is no cap on the number of raises allowed.
No Limit Omaha Hi-Lo
In “No Limit” Omaha Hi-Lo, players can wager as much as desired, up to all
their on-table chips, with the minimum again being the value of the big
blind. In any betting round, a raise must be at least the value of any
earlier bet / raise in the same round. Again, there is no cap on the number
of raises allowed.
Pot Limit and No Limit games are referred to by the size of the blinds
involved; for example, a $5 / $10 Omaha Hi-Lo game has a small blind of $5
and a big blind of $10.
