Players start with four "down" cards. Players
share five "community" cards (which are
dealt face-up in the center of the table). Players
MUST use two of their four "down" cards
with three "up" cards to form their hand.
There is no qualifying on the "High" side
- the best high hand automatically wins half the pot
and could win the whole pot. To win the "Low"
side of the pot, however, the player must qualify
(which is why the game is named Omaha "8 or Better").
Betting Order
The Omaha Hi/lo cards are dealt in a specific order
and betting also takes place in a specific order.
The order is as follows:
Blinds
The small blind is a forced bet made by the player
to the immediate left of the dealer button (when you
are viewing the table from behind the button). The
big blind is a forced bet made by the player to the
immediate left of the small blind.
Small Blind
In Omaha Hi/lo, the small blind is a bet equal in
size to one half the game's minimum bet, rounded down
to the nearest unit. (For example, in a $4-$8 game,
the small blind is $2. Exception: In a $.05-$.10 game,
the small blind is $.03.)
Big Blind
In Omaha Hi/lo game, the big blind is a bet equal
in size to the game's minimum bet. (For example, in
a $4-$8 game, the big blind is $3.)
Missed Blinds
Players are required to post the small blind and
the big blind once per round or their equivalent upon
reentry to the game if the blinds are missed. In most
online poke rooms, the software will prompt you if
you have missed one or both blinds to put in the correct
amount. You can also wait for the blind to get to
your position. This is called coming in on the blind.
(The term also applies to when you first sit down).
First Round
After the players in the blind positions put their
blinds into the pot, the dealer deals four cards (pocket
or hole cards) to each player, at which time each
player can see his own cards but not those of his
opponents. On the first round only, the betting starts
with the player to the left of the big blind, who
has one of three choices, call, raise, or fold. On
the first round only, a player cannot check (make
no bet) and still retain his hand. On the first round
only, the player in the small blind position acts
after the button. The player in the big blind position
acts after the small blind.
Raise/Call/Check/Fold
Once a betting round has started players must select
one of these options. If you choose one of the automatic
options, your bet is made automatically on your turn.
If you select Sit Out or you close the window after
a round has started, your bet will be considered a
fold. If your connection is lost, your hand will be
played as an all-in bet. Option - The player who has
the big blind is given the option to raise, check,
call, or fold when it is his turn. If no one has raised,
the big blind has the option of checking (that is,
not increasing the bet) or raising.
Succeeding Rounds
In all rounds except the first, the betting starts
with the first active player to the left of the button,
who has one of three choices, check, bet, or fold.
Until there is a bet, each succeeding active player
has the same choices. Once a bet is made, each succeeding
player then has in turn one of three choices, call,
raise, or fold.
The Showdown
Once all betting is complete, players establish the
best five-card high or low hand that they can make
from two of their four pocket cards and three of the
five community cards. In Omaha Hi/Lo the pot is split
50-50 between the best high hand and the best qualifying
low hand, consisting of 5 cards of different values
ranked 8 or lower.
Straights and flushes are not counted against you
when evaluating a low hand. However, they still apply
for evaluating the high hand. Aces can be used both
for high and low hands.
Therefore, the best possible low hand is A, 2, 3,
4 and 5, which is also a straight for the high hand.
It is possible for a player to scoop the entire pot
with both the highest and lowest hands. Four of these
cards will be in their own possession and dealt as
down cards, and five will be face up as community
cards to be shared by all players.
Therefore, if a player is dealt four kings down,
only two of the kings count toward the final hand.
The remaining three cards must come from the community
cards. The player with the best five-card hand and
the player with the qualifying best low hand share
the pot evenly. Should multiple hands tie, the pot
is split with any odd amount going to the player immediately
to the left of the dealer.
As in Texas Hold'em, the button used to indicate
the dealer's position is moved clockwise around the
table. This allows every player can benefit from the
advantage of being last to act once per round. Like
Hold'em, position is an important advantage with the
player on the button being in the best position possible.
