Omaha Hi-Lo Poker, (aka Omaha 8 or Better / Omaha 
is a split-pot poker game where the highest hand wins half the pot, and the low hand, if it qualifies, wins the other half. In order to qualify for a low hand, it must contain no card better than an 8; hence the nickname Omaha 8.
The game shares many similarities with Texas Holdem, but does carry a few distinct modifications to the rules. Omaha Hi-Lo Poker delivers four hole cards to each player, not just two. Players are required to use only 3 community cards – no more, no less – combined with any two of their own four hole cards.
Omaha Hi-Lo Poker is a game for 2 to 10 players, utilizing a single 52-card deck. It can be played in any limit structure – fixed limit, no limit or pot limit.
Omaha Hi-Lo Poker – Objective
The object of the poker game is to make two hands using the 9 cards available to you; combining exactly 2 hole cards and 3 community cards. The high hand is a standard poker hand, using the traditional poker hand ranks. There is no need to qualify for the high hand in Omaha Hi-Lo Poker. The player with the highest ranking hand automatically wins half of the pot.
The second hand is the low hand, and it must qualify to win. If no player develops a qualifying low hand, the player who won the high hand will claim the entire pot. A player may use any of the 9 cards available to them. They do not have to be the same cards used in the high hand, but they do require exactly 2 hole cards and 3 community cards.
Omaha Hi-Lo Poker – Qualifying Low Hand
In order to qualify for an Omaha Hi-Lo Poker low hand, it must follow these guidelines:
-There may be no card higher than an 8
-There may be no pairs
-Straights and Flushes do not count as combinations
By these Omaha Hi-Lo Poker rules, the best qualifying low hand would be: A-2-3-4-5
Playing Omaha Hi-Lo Poker
Like most poker games, Omaha Hi-Lo Poker starts with placement of the Big Blind and Small Blind. Each player then receives 4 hole cards.
Pre-Flop: The first betting round starts with the player left of the Big Blind. Players may call, raise or fold until everyone has acted.
Flop: Three community cards are dealt, followed by another round of betting.
Turn: A fourth community card is dealt, then another round of betting.
River: The fifth and final community card is dealt. The last betting round takes place.
The Showdown: Omaha Hi-Lo Poker generally sees more showdowns than most other poker variants, as less players will fold early when there are two hands to potentially win. First, the high hand is determined, with the winner taking half of the pot. Next, anyone with a qualifying low hand will compete for the low hand. The winner takes the other half of the pot.
If there is no low hand that qualifies, the high hand winner is awarded the full pot.
