Omaha Hi/Lo uses the same rules as regular Omaha, with the exception that the pot is split between the highest and smallest possible five card hands. In order for a split to happen, a low hand must qualify. Qualifications might differ. Usually an eight low is the standard. This means that the low hand must not contain a card higher than an 8 to qualify. In the event that there is no possible low hand, the entire pot goes to the highest five-card hand.

Omaha begins by each player being dealt four down (hole) cards, followed by a round of betting. Once the initial round of betting has been completed, three community cards** are placed in the middle of the table. These cards are called “the flop”. Another round of betting occurs, followed by another community card (the turn) and once again a round of betting. Lastly, a final community card is revealed (the river) and a final cycle of betting concludes the game. Any players still left in the hand turn over their cards and attempt to make their best possible five-card poker hand. Each player must use two down cards along with three cards from the community board.

Omaha Hi/Lo Gameplay Review

1. The dealer deals each player five down cards.

2. First round of betting.

3. The dealer burns** a card and deals the flop.

4. Second cycle of betting

5. Another card is burned and a fourth community card “the turn” is dealt.

6. Third round of betting.

7. A last card is burned and the final community card or “river” is dealt.

8. The last round of betting.

9. All remaining players take part in a showdown. Each player makes his or her best high five-card poker hand along with his or her best low five-card hand (if possible). The person who initiated the last round of betting shows his/her cards first.

10. The winner of the high hand receives half the pot. The other half of the pot goes to the player with the smallest hand.

Omaha 5 card hands must contain two of the player’s hole cards along with 3 of the community board cards.

General Omaha Hi/Lo Rules

1. In the event that the first hole card dealt is revealed to all players, the dealer must reshuffle and deal again.

2. If any other hole card is revealed during the initial deal, that card is taken by the dealer and replaced with an unseen card. The revealed card then becomes the burn card for the flop.

3. Each player is responsible for protecting their hole cards by either placing a marker on top of them or making it clear they are still in play. In the event that a player’s hole cards are not marked and are taken by the dealer, the player is out of the hand.

4. If there is any mistake in the dealing of the flop, it must be reshuffled and re-dealt.

5. Whenever a dealer turns a board card before a betting cycle is finished it must be removed from play for that cycle.

6. When a player reveals his hole cards he must not allow them to touch any of the board cards. If they become mixed with the board cards (even if it is possible to distinguish and remove them), the player’s hand is forfeited.

7. In the event that no low hand qualifies, the entire pot goes to the highest possible five-card hand.

**Definitions.

Community Cards: The cards that are shared by all the players in a hand.

Burn Card: The taking off and setting aside of the top card of the deck before dealing the next community card.

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