Omaha Hi-Lo: half the pot for the best high, half for the best low
Omaha Hi-Lo, or Omaha eight-or-better, splits each pot between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand. A low needs five different cards of 8 or lower. If no low qualifies, the high hand takes it all.
Reviewed Oct 14, 2026
Answer first
90s| Low hand | Rank |
|---|---|
| A-2-3-4-5 | Best low (the wheel) |
| A-2-3-4-6 | Second best |
| A-2-3-5-6 | Next |
| 2-3-4-5-7 | Lower ranked |
| 4-5-6-7-8 | Worst qualifying low |
Key numbers
Omaha Hi-Lo in four numbers
In short
Key takeaways
- You use exactly two hole cards and three board cards for each half, and they can be different cards.
- A low is possible only if three different cards 8 or lower are on the board.
- Scooping, winning both halves, is the goal of strong play.
- A-2 with other low cards is the most valuable starting holding.
Cheat sheet
A split pot
Glance the faces — compare in one second.
1Player 1: high
Q-Q with the board kings: kings full wins the high
2Player 2: low
A-2 makes an 8-6-5-2-A low
3Board
K, 8, 6, 5 and K
Starting hand types
| Hand type | Example | Value |
|---|---|---|
| A-2 with suited ace | A♠ 2♥ 3♠ K♦ | Very strong |
| A-3 with low cards | A 3 4 5 | Strong |
| High pairs, connected | K K Q J | Medium (high only) |
| Middle cards | 7 8 9 T | Weak — no good low |
Low-only hands without an ace are risky; they get quartered.
Reading the low
Compare low hands from the highest card down. 7-5-4-3-2 beats 7-6-3-2-A because 5 is lower than 6 in the second spot. Straights and flushes do not count against a low.
Each player picks the best two hole cards for high and, separately, the best two for low.
When a low is possible
| Board low cards (8 or under) | Low possible? |
|---|---|
| Three or more different | Yes |
| Two or fewer | No — high takes all |
| Three with a pair among them | Only if three different ranks remain |
Count different ranks only.
Getting quartered
If two players tie for the low, they split the low half, each getting a quarter of the pot. That can make a low draw lose money when betting is heavy.
A-2 hands are prone to ties, which is why an extra low card or a high hand to go with it adds value.
Sequence
Playing a hand
Step 01
Look at your four cards
Do you have A-2 or A-3?
Step 02
Check for both ways
High and low chances together.
Step 03
Watch the flop
Two low cards on board keep the low alive.
Step 04
Value scoops
Bet harder when you can win both halves.
Step 05
Read both halves at showdown
Each half is graded on its own.
Where it is played
Omaha Hi-Lo runs in many US poker rooms as a fixed-limit or pot-limit game. It also appears in mixed games like HORSE.
Online, it is offered on several licensed US sites.
Floor rules
Hi-Lo terms
Know before you sit
- Scoop
- Winning both high and low halves.
- Quartered
- Splitting the low half with another player.
- Wheel
- A-2-3-4-5, the best low.
- Counterfeit
- A board card that pairs your low card.
Practice tip
Deal sample hands at home and read both halves before looking at the answer. Speed comes from practice.
Common mistakes
- Using three hole cards
- You must use exactly two hole cards for each half.
- Playing low-only hands
- Without high potential, you often win only a quarter.
- Ignoring counterfeits
- A board ace or deuce can ruin your A-2 low.
- Forgetting the qualifier
- A low needs five different cards 8 or lower.
Keep reading
Related pages
Go play
Where to play in Las Vegas
Tap a resort — each row opens that casino’s White Gambling page (hours, poker status, floor facts). Print poker rooms, sorted by published table count.
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Questions before and after you play
A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.
01Basics
What is Omaha Hi-Lo?
A form of Omaha where the pot is split between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand.
What qualifies as a low?
Five different cards with ranks 8 or lower. Aces count as low, and straights and flushes do not hurt a low.
What if no low qualifies?
The best high hand wins the whole pot. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
02Play
How many hole cards do I use?
Exactly two for the high and exactly two for the low. They can be different pairs of cards.
What is the best starting hand?
A-A-2-3 double-suited is often called the best. Any A-2 with good extras plays well.
What does scoop mean?
Winning both the high and low halves of the pot. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
03Where to play
Is Omaha Hi-Lo spread in casinos?
Many larger US poker rooms spread it, often as a limit game or in mixed games. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
Is it played online?
Yes, several licensed US online poker sites offer it. Rules vary by cardroom, so check the posted house rules.
Is Hi-Lo good for beginners?
It is more complex than Hold’em, but its clear starting hand rules help new players avoid big mistakes.
Sources
- Robert’s Rules of Poker Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Common cardroom rules
- PokerNews — Omaha Hi-Lo From the press (News report, not an official registry. Used for dates and events only.) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Rules overview
- UNLV Center for Gaming Research Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Research library on casino games and gambling
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER