Omaha Hi-Lo Rules: How Eight-or-Better Works

Omaha Hi-Lo, also called Omaha Eight-or-Better or O8, is a split-pot version of Omaha. At showdown, half the pot goes to the best high hand and half to the best qualifying low hand. It is usually played with fixed-limit betting and is part of the H.O.R.S.E. rotation.

The basic rules

• Each player gets four hole cards; there is a flop, turn and river, just like Omaha.
• For both the high and the low, you must use exactly two hole cards and three board cards. You may use different cards for each.
• If nobody has a qualifying low, the best high hand wins the whole pot.

What makes a qualifying low

A low hand must be five different cards ranked 8 or lower. Aces count as low. Straights and flushes do not count against a low hand.

• The best possible low is A-2-3-4-5, called the wheel. It is also a straight for the high.
• Low hands are compared from the highest card down: 7-5-4-2-A beats 7-6-3-2-A, because 5 is lower than 6.
• At least three cards on the board must be 8 or lower and of different ranks, or no low is possible.

Scooping and quartering

Scooping means winning both halves of the pot — the main goal of good O8 strategy. Getting quartered means splitting one half with another player, so you only get a quarter of the pot, which can lose money in a three-way pot.

Beginner tips

• Play hands that can scoop: A-2 with other low cards and suited aces, like A♠ 2♠ 3♥ K♥.
• Avoid middle cards (9, T, J) that rarely make the nut high and never make a low.
• Be careful with A-2 when the board pairs an ace or deuce: you may be counterfeited.

Check hand equity with the Omaha odds calculator and track O8 sessions in the free poker tracker.