Double your chances, double your fun—here’s your guide to winning high and low in Omaha Hi-Lo poker. Now, give us a big hand!
Omaha Hi-Lo (a.k.a. Omaha 8-or-Better) is the second most popular Omaha poker variant, and for good reason. It’s fast, strategic, and packed with action. If you’re looking to up your game and take home more pots, understanding the best hands is key. Unlike standard Omaha, you’re playing for both a high and a low hand—meaning twice the opportunities to win, and twice the ways to mess it up if you’re not careful.
OMAHA HI-LO RULES: THE BASICS YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you've played Texas Hold 'em or standard Omaha Poker, the good news is you’re already halfway there — you already know the basics. There are four rounds: pre-flop, the flop, the turn and the river. Three community cards are dealt on the flop, one on the turn, then a fifth and final on the river. In Omaha poker games, including Hi Lo, everyone gets four hole cards at the start of play and must use two out of their hand and any three from the community cards to make a hand. Other rules you need to know include:
High Hand: The high hand in Omaha Hi-Lo follows traditional poker hand rankings. The best possible five-card combination wins half the pot.
Low Hand: A qualifying low hand must contain five unique cards ranked 8 or lower (A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), with no pairs. Flushes and straights do not impact low hands, meaning a hand like A-2-3-4-5 ("The Wheel") is the strongest low hand.
Split Pot: The pot is typically split between the best high and the best qualifying low hand. If no low hand qualifies (e.g., no one has five cards ranked 8 or lower), the entire pot is awarded to the high hand, a scenario known as scooping the pot.
WHAT MAKES A GREAT OMAHA HI-LO HAND?
Winning big in Omaha Hi-Lo isn’t about getting lucky—it’s about playing the right hands. Here’s what to look for:
- Dual Playability: The best hands can win both the high and low pot, giving you a shot at scooping.
- Nut Low Potential: A-2 is golden, but remember—it doesn’t always guarantee the best low if the board doesn’t cooperate.
- Straight & Flush Potential: Suited and connected cards help build strong high hands. Just don’t rely on flushes to win the low.
- Avoiding Danglers: A useless high card that doesn’t contribute to your low or high hand? That’s a dangler, and it drags your chances down.
BEST STARTING HANDS IN OMAHA HI-LO
Not all hands are created equal. These are the ones you actually want to see when you look down at your cards:
1. A-A-2-3 (DOUBLE SUITED)
The dream hand. You’re set up for the nut low, a strong high hand, and multiple flush and straight draws. If you play it right, you’re in prime position to scoop.
2. A-A-2-4 (DOUBLE SUITED)
Nearly as strong as A-A-2-3, with just a little less straight potential. Still an elite hand that can dominate both ends of the pot.
3. A-A-2-5 (DOUBLE SUITED)
Nut low draw? Check. Big pair for the high? Check. Wheel potential? You bet. Another powerhouse that’s tough to beat.
4. A-A-3-4 (DOUBLE SUITED)
Still a strong hand, but slightly weaker than those with A-2. The flush potential keeps it dangerous.
5. A-2-3-4 (DOUBLE SUITED)
This one is built for scooping—almost guaranteed to be in contention for the low, while still giving you straight and flush possibilities for the high.
6. A-2-6-7 (MIXED SUITS)
Playable, but weaker than the hands above. The biggest issue? It can get crushed by stronger low hands like A-2-3-x.
7. A-2-7-8 (MIXED SUITS)
Slightly worse than A-2-6-7, since the 8 is the highest possible low card. You’re more likely to get counterfeited on the low end.
8. 2-3-4-5 (MIXED SUITS)
Great for the low, but lacking an Ace makes it risky. You’ll often lose to A-2 hands, but it can still be playable if the board runs right.
9. A-2-K-Q (MIXED SUITS) – OVERRATED
This hand looks decent, but it’s mostly a high-hand play. A-2 alone doesn’t guarantee you the nut low, and the K-Q can get dominated.
10. A-A-X-X (DOUBLE SUITED) – SITUATIONAL
Having Aces is always nice, but if your other two cards don’t help with a strong low or a draw-heavy high, this hand loses a lot of value.
OMAHA HI-LO STRATEGY: PLAY TO WIN, NOT JUST TO PLAY
- Chase the scoop. Always aim to win the whole pot, not just half. Hands that can compete for both the high and low give you the best shot.
- A-2 is strong, but not invincible. If the board doesn’t support it, don’t force it.
- Beware of high-only hands. They can win, but they’re far more volatile.
Pocket Aces aren’t everything. Without strong low or straight potential, they’re just another pair.
By picking the right hands and thinking ahead, you’ll put yourself in the best position to dominate Omaha Hi-Lo. Ready to take on the tables? Time to put these strategies to work.