Omaha Hi-Lo: The Art of Splitting Pots and Scooping Opponents

What Is Omaha Hi-Lo?

Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha Eight-or-Better, Omaha 8, O8, or PLO8) is a split-pot variant of Omaha Poker where the pot is divided between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand. This dual objective creates one of poker's most strategically complex games, requiring players to simultaneously pursue two different types of winning hands while understanding when the pot will or won't be split.

The game follows standard Omaha rules: four hole cards, five community cards, and the requirement to use exactly two cards from your hand with exactly three from the board. The critical addition is the low hand component. Half the pot goes to the player with the lowest qualifying hand (five unpaired cards 8 or lower), while the other half goes to the best high hand. If no player can make a qualifying low, the entire pot goes to the high hand.

Omaha Hi-Lo is featured in the HORSE mixed game rotation (the "O" stands for Omaha Hi-Lo) and appears regularly in World Series of Poker tournament schedules. The game rewards players who understand hand selection, pot equity, and the mathematics of scooping versus splitting. According to the Card Player poker strategy archives, Hi-Lo games require fundamentally different thinking than high-only variants.

Understanding the Low Hand Qualifier

The defining feature of Omaha Hi-Lo is the "Eight-or-Better" qualifier. To win the low half of the pot, you must make a five-card hand containing only unpaired cards ranked 8 or lower. Aces count as low for this purpose, making A-2-3-4-5 (the "wheel") the best possible low hand.

How Low Hands Are Ranked

Low hands are read from the highest card down. A hand of 8-7-6-4-2 loses to 8-6-5-4-3 because when comparing from the top, both have an 8, but the second hand's next-highest card (6) beats the first hand's (7). The winning low is determined by comparing the highest cards first, then working down. This counting method, sometimes called "California lowball" ranking, is standard in Hi-Lo games as documented by Pagat.com's comprehensive poker rules reference.

Example low hand rankings (best to worst):

• A-2-3-4-5 (the wheel, best possible low)
• A-2-3-4-6 (six-low)
• A-2-3-5-6 (six-low, loses to above)
• A-2-4-5-7 (seven-low)
• A-3-4-6-8 (eight-low)
• 2-3-4-5-8 (eight-low, loses to above)

Straights and Flushes Don't Count Against You

A crucial rule: straights and flushes are ignored when evaluating low hands. This means A-2-3-4-5 of spades is simultaneously the best low (a wheel) AND a strong high (a straight, or potentially a straight flush). This overlap is what creates "scooping" opportunities where one hand wins both halves of the pot.

When No Low Qualifies

For a low to be possible, the board must contain at least three unpaired cards 8 or lower. If the board shows K-Q-J-10-9, no low is possible—no one can make five unpaired low cards. Similarly, if the board shows A-2-7-7-K, the paired 7 limits available low cards, potentially preventing qualification. When no low qualifies, the entire pot goes to the best high hand.

The Two-Card Rule: Applying It to Split Pots

Like standard Omaha, you must use exactly two cards from your hand with exactly three from the board. In Hi-Lo, you can use different two-card combinations for your high and low hands—but each hand must follow the exact same rule.

Example: You hold A♠ 2♥ K♦ Q♣ and the board shows 3♠ 5♠ 7♥ J♦ 10♣.

• For low: You use A♠ 2♥ from your hand with 3♠ 5♠ 7♥ from the board = A-2-3-5-7 low (strong seven-low)
• For high: You use K♦ Q♣ from your hand with J♦ 10♣ 3♠ from the board = K-Q-J-10 high (king-high straight draw missed, just king-high)

Using different cards for high and low is called "playing for both sides." Your best strategy is finding hands where the same two cards make strong hands in both directions, or where you have four cards that provide multiple strong two-card combinations.

Counterfeiting: The Low Hand Danger

A dangerous situation occurs when the board pairs one of your low cards. If you hold A-2 and the board shows 2-4-6-K-2, your deuce is "counterfeited." You now must use two cards from your hand, but one of them (the 2) now pairs with the board. Your low becomes A-4-6 plus whatever you can add, which might not qualify or might be beaten by opponents with better lows.

Experienced Hi-Lo players seek "protected" or "covered" lows. Holding A-2-3 means if the 2 gets counterfeited, you can still make a low with A-3. Having multiple low cards protects against counterfeiting, a concept central to hand selection as analyzed in Two Plus Two's Omaha Hi-Lo strategy forums.

Scooping vs. Getting Quartered: The Mathematics of Winning

What Is Scooping?

"Scooping" means winning both the high and low halves of the pot—taking everything. This is the ultimate goal in Hi-Lo poker. A player who scoops wins 100% of the pot rather than splitting. Hands that can scoop (like the wheel, which is both a straight for high and the nut low) are extremely valuable.

What Is Getting Quartered?

Getting "quartered" happens when you tie for half the pot. If you and another player both have A-2 for the same nut low while a third player wins the high, the pot splits three ways: 50% to high, 25% to each low. You invested chips to win one-quarter of the pot—often a losing proposition.

The Quartering Math Problem: Imagine a $100 pot. You have the nut low but split it with another player. You receive $25. If you contributed $30 to build that pot, you've lost money despite "winning." This is why playing for only low without scoop potential is dangerous.

Freerolling

A "freeroll" occurs when you're guaranteed half the pot and have draws to scoop the other half. Example: You have the nut low locked up and are drawing to a flush for the high. You cannot lose the low half, and if your flush comes, you scoop. This is the ideal Hi-Lo situation—guaranteed profit with potential for more.

Strategic Implications

The mathematics heavily favor hands that can win both directions. Playing for only high (like K-K-Q-J with no low potential) means you can only ever win half the pot when a low is possible. Playing for only low (like 2-3-4-5 with no high hand) risks being quartered or scooped. The best hands combine strong high potential with strong low potential.

Omaha Hi-Lo Starting Hand Selection

Hand selection in Omaha Hi-Lo differs significantly from high-only Omaha. The premium hands are those that can compete for both halves of the pot. According to poker probability research compiled by the Wizard of Odds, starting hand selection is the most significant factor in long-term Hi-Lo success.

Premium Starting Hands

A-A-2-3 double suited: The consensus best starting hand. Pocket Aces provide high hand strength. A-2-3 gives nut low draws with counterfeiting protection (if 2 pairs, you have A-3; if 3 pairs, you have A-2). Double suited adds flush scoop potential.

A-A-2-4 double suited: Slightly weaker than A-A-2-3 because the 4 provides less protection than the 3, but still elite. Premium high hand, strong low draws.

A-2-3-4 double suited: The ultimate low hand. You'll make the nut low with almost any low board and have wrap straight potential for scooping.

A-A-2-x suited: Any hand with A-A plus A-2 suited is playable. The suited Ace gives nut flush potential for high, and A-2 is the foundation of nut lows.

Strong Playable Hands

A-2-3-K suited: Strong low cards with a high card kicker. The suited Ace provides flush scooping potential.

A-2-4-5 suited: Wheel wrap. Makes nut lows frequently and has straight potential for scooping.

A-3-4-5 suited: Slightly weaker without the 2, but still makes strong lows and has wheel potential if a 2 appears on the board.

Dangerous and Unplayable Hands

K-K-Q-J (no low cards): Strong in high-only Omaha, weak in Hi-Lo. You can only win half the pot when a low is possible, and you're often quartered when opponents share your low draws.

2-3-4-5 rainbow (no Ace): Makes low hands but rarely the nut low. Without an Ace, you're often second-best on low and have minimal high potential. Getting quartered is common.

A-2 with garbage: Hands like A-2-9-J rainbow look like they have nut low potential, but the 9-J provides nothing. You'll make nut lows but rarely scoop.

Middle cards: Hands like 7-8-9-10 have no low potential and make straights that can be beaten by higher straights in multi-way pots. These hands work in high-only PLO but fail in Hi-Lo.

The Importance of A-2

The A-2 combination is the cornerstone of Hi-Lo hand selection. It makes the nut low whenever the board has three low cards (as long as your 2 isn't counterfeited). Without A-2, you're often playing for second-best low—a recipe for getting quartered or losing outright. Starting hands without an Ace are rarely playable, and hands without A-2 require exceptional high potential to compensate.

How Omaha Hi-Lo Plays: Betting Rounds and Showdown

The mechanics mirror standard Omaha. Understanding the betting structure helps you recognize when pot odds justify calling with drawing hands and when to fold marginal holdings.

Pre-Flop

Blinds are posted, and each player receives four hole cards. Pre-flop in Hi-Lo typically sees more callers than high-only games because more hands have potential for both directions. Premium hands (A-A-2-x, A-2-3-x) should raise for value and to build pots they're favored to win.

The Flop

Three community cards are dealt. This is where Hi-Lo strategy diverges most from high-only play. Evaluate: Does the flop contain two or three low cards? If so, a low is likely, and hands without low draws lose half their potential value. Flops like K-Q-J contain no low possibility—high-only hands gain value, and low draws are worthless.

The Turn

The fourth community card appears. By the turn, low possibilities become clearer. If three low cards are present, a low is almost certain. If only two appear, the river must provide a third for any low to qualify. Hand strength evaluation becomes critical—are you drawing to the nuts, or settling for second-best?

The River

The fifth community card completes the board. Final betting occurs. Players who've been drawing discover if their hands completed. The river often determines whether a low qualifies, dramatically shifting pot equity.

Showdown and Pot Division

At showdown, the pot is divided. First, determine if a qualifying low is possible (three board cards 8 or lower, unpaired for low purposes). If yes, identify the best low hand and best high hand—they split the pot 50/50. If the same player holds both, they scoop. If multiple players tie for high or low, their half is further divided. If no low qualifies, the entire pot goes to the best high hand.

Omaha Hi-Lo Strategy Fundamentals

Play for Scoops, Not Splits

The most important strategic concept: value hands that can win both halves. Splitting is break-even at best; scooping is where profit lives. Hands like the wheel (A-2-3-4-5) that make straights while holding nut lows are goldmines. Hands that can only win one direction fight for half the pot against hands competing for the whole thing.

Nut Lows or Nothing

Second-best lows lose money. If you're drawing to a 7-6 low and opponents likely have A-2, you're investing to win a quarter of the pot (splitting the low half). Play for nut lows—primarily A-2 draws—or have exceptional high potential to compensate.

Respect Dry Boards

When the flop comes K-Q-J with no low cards, the nature of the pot changes entirely. This is a "dry" board for low—no low will qualify. High-only hands like K-K-x-x gain full pot equity rather than half-pot equity. Adjust accordingly: low draws have zero value, and you're playing high-only poker.

Avoid Being Freerolled

When you have the same low as an opponent but they have additional high draws (flush draws, straight draws), you're being freerolled. They'll win at least half the pot and might scoop. Recognize when you're vulnerable and consider the pot odds carefully before committing chips.

Counterfeiting Awareness

Always track how vulnerable your low is to counterfeiting. A-2 alone is fragile; if the board pairs your 2, you might not qualify. A-2-3 is safer; if the 2 pairs, you have A-3 backup. The more low cards you hold, the more resilient your low draws.

Position Matters Even More

Acting last in Hi-Lo provides tremendous advantage. You see who's betting for the low, who's betting for the high, and who might be on a freeroll. Positional awareness helps you avoid getting quartered and identify scooping opportunities.

Common Omaha Hi-Lo Mistakes

Playing for Half: Chasing only low or only high limits your potential. Hands that can only win half the pot have half the expected value. Premium hands compete for both directions.

Ignoring Counterfeiting: Holding A-2 on a board of 3-5-7-2 looks like nut low, but your 2 is counterfeited. You now have A-3-5-7 low (seven-low), which loses to any player with A-2 in hand. Always verify your low qualifies and remains the nuts.

Overvaluing Non-Nut Lows: A 7-6 low feels strong but loses to 6-5, 5-4, and any wheel. In multi-way pots, someone often has a better low. Second-best low plus second-best high equals maximum loss potential.

Playing High-Only Hands in Hi-Lo: Big pairs without low potential (K-K-Q-J) are strong in PLO but weak in PLO8. You're fighting for half the pot against hands competing for everything. These hands require extremely favorable board textures.

Calling Down Getting Quartered: When you suspect you're splitting the low with an opponent who has the high locked up, the math often says fold. You're paying full price to win one-quarter—usually unprofitable.

Misreading Split Pot Situations: Before showdown, clearly identify: Who has the best high? Who has the best low? Am I scooping, splitting, or getting quartered? Errors here are expensive.

Limit vs. Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo

Limit Omaha Hi-Lo (LO8)

The most common format in card rooms and mixed games like HORSE. Fixed betting limits (small bet pre-flop and on flop, big bet on turn and river) create a game with lower variance and more showdowns. Drawing to nut hands is more affordable, and pots are typically smaller. LO8 is considered more beginner-friendly because betting limits prevent catastrophic single-hand losses.

Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo (PLO8)

Growing in online popularity, PLO8 allows betting up to the current pot size. This creates larger pots, more aggression, and higher variance. Strong draws become even more valuable because they can bet opponents off hands. PLO8 rewards skilled players who understand pot odds, implied odds, and fold equity.

Strategic Differences

In Limit, more hands see showdown—drawing odds are usually acceptable. In Pot-Limit, larger bets can force folds, making aggression with nut draws more profitable. Position matters more in PLO8 because pot-sized bets from late position create enormous pressure. The Upswing Poker strategy library offers detailed PLO8-specific content for advanced players.

Learning Path: Related Poker Variants

Before mastering Omaha Hi-Lo, ensure you understand both standard Omaha Poker and poker hand rankings. The four-card, must-use-exactly-two mechanic should be second nature before adding the split-pot complexity.

Omaha Hi-Lo is one component of HORSE, the mixed game format testing mastery across five variants. Players serious about tournament poker should learn Hi-Lo as part of mixed game preparation. The game also shares strategic DNA with Razz—both reward understanding lowball hand values.

For foundational poker understanding, Texas Hold'em teaches community card fundamentals without the complexity of four hole cards or split pots. Build your base there before tackling Hi-Lo's multidimensional strategy.

Use our pot odds calculator to understand drawing mathematics and our expected value calculator to analyze whether calls with half-pot equity are profitable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Responsible Gaming Reminder

Omaha Hi-Lo's complexity and split-pot nature can create larger swings and longer sessions than simpler poker variants. The strategic depth that makes the game intellectually rewarding also requires substantial study and practice to play profitably. Approach the game as a skill-development challenge rather than an income source.

The variance in Hi-Lo games—particularly when low hands get counterfeited or pots get quartered unexpectedly—can test emotional control. Set strict bankroll limits before playing, and never chase losses by moving to higher stakes. If gambling creates financial or emotional distress, support is available through the National Council on Problem Gambling at 1-800-522-4700.