Omaha Hi/Lo is a popular variant of Omaha. In this version the best hand and the worst hand each get half of the pot, that is, as long as your low hand contains at least an 8 or better. You can use different cards for the two hands, making it possible to win both the high and low hand. If there is no qualifying Low hand the entire pot goes to the winning high hand.

High hands are ranked exactly the same as Omaha High. A Low hand, simply put, doesn't qualify if it beats an 8. If you have never played a Hi – Lo game you may want to read this a couple times in order to fully understand what a qualifying Low hand is and how they are ranked.

Like Omaha High, you receive 4 cards face down. You use these cards in combination with the 5 table cards. At showdown, you must use exactly two of your down cards and three table cards to make up a high hand and a low hand. It's possible for you to win both the high and the low pot with two different pocket cards. Of the five cards used in a low hand, an 8 is the highest-ranking card you can use. The lowest high card determines the best low hand. If two or more players have the same high card, then the next lowest high card is used. Take a look at this example:

At showdown - Player ‘X' holds 8, 7, 5, 3, 2 and Player ‘Y' holds 8, 7, 5, and 4, Ace.

Some may look at this and think that ‘Y' has the winning low hand because the lowest card, an Ace, is held. This is incorrect. Player ‘X' holds the winning hand. If you refer to the paragraph above, the “lowest high card…then the next lowest high card” determines ranking. So in ranking these two hands 8,7,5 is held in common with the next lowest card being a 3. Therefore, player ‘X' holds the best low hand.

A Straight or a Flush is not considered a low hand even if it contains all cards with an individual rank of 8 or lower. The one exception to this is considered the best low hand – Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5. This is also considered as a straight for high, and both pots may be won with this hand.

The action for Omaha Hi-Lo is very much like Hold'em and Omaha High.

The Button moves from player to player at the beginning of each hand and identifies the current dealer position; the player at this location is considered 'the dealer'. After each hand is completed the dealer button is moved to the next player to the left.

There's no ante, so the two players to the left of the dealer must post blind bets. A Blind is a forced bet before you receive your initial cards. The player to the immediate left of the dealer posts the Small Blind and the player to the immediate left of the small blind will post the Big Blind. This is used to seed the pot with cash. Everyone at the table takes their turn playing the blinds. No one is immune.

The small blind is equal to one half the minimum bet, (Ex. $3-$6 game, small blind = $1.50)

The big blind is a bet equal to the minimum bet. (i.e. $3-$6 game, big blind = $3)

When you first take a seat at an active table you're required to post the equivalent of the big blind. You can do this by waiting until you are in a position to post it. Another way would be to post it out of position. If you decide to post out of the big blind position, you must also post the blind when you are in position if you wish to remain in the game.

If you were to miss the regular rotation of posting the blinds, you would be required to post the big blind in order to re-enter the game. If you were to sit out and miss three big blinds, you would then be picked up from the table, forfeiting your seat.

There are 4 rounds of betting, the first is initiated after 4 cards, pocket cards, are dealt face down to each player. The next 3 cards, flop cards, are then dealt. Bet again. The 4th card, turn card, for the table is dealt. Another round of betting ensues. The 5th and final card, river card, is dealt, after which the betting resumes. When all bets are in, the showdown takes place between the remaining players. The winner is declared from the showdown.

Our software enforces the betting limits. The stakes being offered at the particular table determines the limit or maximum bet on any player's turn. For example, at a $1-$2 table, the limit on any bet is $1 on the first two betting rounds and $2 on the final two betting rounds. We allow one bet and 3 raises in our card room.

The first person to show their hand is the last person to show strength with a bet or raise. The pot is split between the highest and the lowest hand both containing exactly 2 pocket cards and three board cards. If there is not a qualifying low hand, the high hand gets the whole pot. If multiple hands are tied for either the high or low, the eligible pot is split with any odd amount going to the player nearest the ‘D' button's left.

Remember: You can use any two pocket cards and any three table cards for your high hand, and can also use any two of your pocket cards with any three table cards for your low hand. It's possible for you to win both the high pot and the low pot. Excellent.