Omaha Hi-Lo, also known as PLO8, is a popular poker variant where players receive four hole cards and build both a high hand and a qualifying low hand. The game creates many different combinations and uses a split-pot structure when both high and low hands qualify.
This guide walks you through the core elements of Omaha Hi-Lo, including positions, hand selection, the betting rounds, and how high/low hands are formed at showdown.
At a normal 9-max Omaha Hi-Low table, positions are exactly the same as in Texas Holdem. There are two mandatory bets called the Small and Big Blinds, and the game is usually played in pot limit or fixed limit formats. In pot limit games, bet sizing can increase gradually as the hand develops. So even though, the player sat directly to the left of the BB is first to act pre-flop, the betting action can already be substantial by the time the action returns to them.
Tip: Position influences decision-making in Omaha Hi-Lo, just as it does in Texas Hold'em.
Just as in Hold'em, a Royal Flush is the best high hand in Omaha Hi-Lo. But remember, this is a split-pot format, so there is also a low hand to take into account. The Lo is ranked using the 8 lowest cards in the deck; Eight through Ace. The best possible Low is 5-4-3-2-A. You must still use only 2 of your 4 starting cards along with any 3 community cards, but you can use different ones for the Hi and the Lo.
Tip: Hands containing an Ace and low-connected cards can contribute to both the high and low sides in split-pot formats like Omaha Hi-Lo.
For more details about how split-pot games work, you can read our Omaha Hi-Lo strategy guide.
The player directly to the left of the big blind, also called the Under-the-Gun player (UTG), starts the ball rolling. They can fold (not play the hand), call (match a prior bet or raise) or raise (increase size of current bet). In Fixed-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo, pre-flop, the bet amount is set at the lower of the two table limit stakes. Action continues clockwise until every player has had a chance to act. With no prior raise, the Big Blind can also check.
Tip: In Omaha Hi-Lo, some starting hands have the potential to interact with both the high and low sides of the pot, depending on the community cards and table action.
After the pre-flop betting action ends, the first of 3 community cards – called the Flop – are dealt out. All active players in the hand can use the flop to make their hand. In Fixed-Limit, betting is still fixed at the lower limit. In Pot-Limit, it’s just like on every street. The minimum bet is equal to the big blind and the maximum bet is equal to the amount in the pot at any given time. The first active player, left of the button, starts the 2nd betting round. Action continues clockwise until each player has had the chance to act.
Tip: In Omaha Hi-Lo, the Ace can participate in both high and low hand combinations, depending on how it interacts with the community cards.
Next up is the 4th community card, called the Turn. This card is also open for use by all active players. From this point on, in Fixed-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo, the betting limit is raised to the higher stake, which is usually double the lower stake. As in previous rounds, players have the option to check, bet, call (if there's a bet), raise (if there's a bet) or fold.
Tip: On the Turn in Fixed-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo, the betting limit increases to the higher stake, which can influence the pace of the round and the decisions available to players.
The River is the last community card available for all players to use to make their hand. The remaining players in the game have the same options as on the Flop and Turn: they can check, bet, call (if there is a bet), raise (if there is a bet) or fold, depending on the prior action in the hand.
Trivia: The term “8 or better” refers to how qualifying low hands are defined in Omaha Hi-Lo: five different cards ranked Eight through Ace.
The Showdown is the stage that occurs when more than one player remains active in the hand. Each player must use any two of their four hole cards together with any three of the five community cards to form both a High (Hi) and, when applicable, a Low (Lo) hand. The best qualifying Lo hand receives half the pot, and the best Hi hand receives the other half.
Tip: In Omaha Hi-Lo, a player can win both the high and low portions of the pot if their hand is strongest in both categories. This outcome is referred to as “scooping.”
Omaha Hi-Lo differs from Texas Hold'em in several key structural ways. While both formats involve four betting rounds and shared community cards, Omaha Hi-Lo gives each player four hole cards and uses a split-pot system in which the highest hand and a qualifying low hand can each receive a portion of the pot. These differences create a wider range of hand possibilities and outcomes compared to Hold'em.
For the official Omaha Hi-Lo rules, including all terms and conditions, please click here.
Each player receives four hole cards and five community cards. Omaha Hi-Lo uses a split-pot structure in which the highest hand and a qualifying low hand (five distinct cards ranked Eight through Ace) can each receive part of the pot.
Omaha Hi-Lo, also known as Omaha 8 or Better, begins with four hole cards dealt to each player. The game includes four betting rounds — pre-flop, flop, turn, and river. Players must use exactly two hole cards and three community cards to form their final high and/or low hand.
In Omaha Hi-Lo, starting hand structures vary widely because each player receives four hole cards. Hands containing both high-ranking and low-connected cards can interact with a broader range of community card combinations, which reflects the split-pot nature of the game.
Betting in Omaha Hi-Lo proceeds clockwise. On each turn a player may check, bet, call, raise, or fold. In Limit Omaha Hi-Lo, the bet amounts are fixed.
The high-hand rankings in Omaha Hi-Lo are the same as in Omaha Hi and Texas Hold'em. A qualifying low hand consists of five distinct cards ranked Eight through Ace, with A-2-3-4-5 being the lowest possible combination. Straights and flushes do not disqualify a low hand.
In Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo, players may bet up to the current size of the pot. In Limit Omaha Hi-Lo, the bet sizes are fixed and the number of raises per round is restricted. These differences affect the pace and structure of each betting round.
Online Omaha Hi-Lo generally moves at a faster pace because actions are automated, and players can participate at more than one table at a time. Live games usually move more slowly and involve in-person interaction at the table.
Because physical tells are not present online, players rely on observable elements such as betting sequences, timing patterns, and general table activity to interpret how others may be engaging in a hand.
When taking part in multiple games simultaneously, players often focus on maintaining awareness across tables, managing decision time effectively, and ensuring that their overall pace matches the number of tables they choose to participate in.
