Omaha Hi-Lo (8 or Better) Rules

Omaha Hi-Lo (8 or Better) is a variation of the famous Omaha Holdem Poker, this version is also commonly known as Hi-Lo, Omaha 8 or Eight or Better. Omaha has gained popularity because of its unique approach in splitting the pot. In this poker game, the high hand and the low hand would each get half the amount of the pot.

To start, one player is designated as the dealer who will be the last to place his bet in each betting rounds. The players do not need to put up antes every round unlike in stud poker. This approach of the Omaha Hi-Lo (8 or Better) is somewhat similar to that of Texas Holdem Poker.

To start the game, two blinds are posted. The player left to the dealer would post the first blind called the small blind, which is equal to half of the amount of minimum bet. The player next to him would place the second blind called big blind, in amount equal to the whole amount of minimum bet. The other players need not place any money.

When the blinds have been posted, each player would then be dealt four cards each face down. The person who posted the small blind is the first to be dealt the cards while the dealer would be the last. The first round of betting then begins. The person next to the person posting big blind will start the betting. He can call the blind bet, fold his hand or raise it. Each player is given a turn to place his bet until the person who placed the small blind can make his own bet. He can call the bet by adding money to his blind bet. The person who posted big blind is the last person to make the bet. If no player has decided to raise the bet, the dealer can ask them if they would like to raise and the person with big blind could then opt to raise the bet or just check it.

When the first round of Omaha Hi-Lo (8 or Better) betting has ended, the dealer would then deal three cards face up on the table. These cards are known as the flop. These cards are the community cards which could be used by every player in order for them to make the best poker hand composed of two cards from their hand and three cards from the community cards. There is one more round of betting to be done here which is commenced by the player left of the dealer.

Another card would then be dealt with face up on table. This is known as the turn card and is part of the community cards. Another turn of betting follows. After which, the final community card, called the river, is placed on table and final turn of betting takes place. A showdown will follow and the pot will be split by the highest ranking and the lowest ranking hand.