How to Play Omaha Hi/Lo Poker (PLO8): Rules, Hand Rankings & Split Pots

    Omaha Hi-Lo — also called Omaha 8 or Better or PLO8 — is a popular split-pot poker game that rewards both the highest and lowest qualifying hands. If you’re familiar with Texas Hold’em or standard Omaha, the Hi/Lo variant adds a new twist. This guide walks through the rules, how the pots are split, what makes a “low” hand, and where you can play online.
    How to Play Omaha Hi/Lo Poker (PLO8): Rules, Hand Rankings & Split Pots

    What Is Omaha Hi/Lo (PLO8)?

    Omaha Hi/Lo is a split-pot poker game played with four hole cards per player. The pot is divided between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand — if a low hand exists. The game is usually played in pot-limit format, especially online.
    If no player qualifies for a low hand, the high hand scoops the entire pot.

    Basic Rules of Omaha Hi/Lo

    Game Format

    • Each player is dealt 4 hole cards
    • Five community cards are dealt on the board (flop, turn, river)
    • You must use exactly 2 hole cards and 3 community cards
    • Pot is split 50/50 between the best high and best qualifying low hand
    • The low hand must consist of 5 cards ranked 8 or lower, with no pairs

    How the Game Plays Out

    1. Pre-flop: Each player receives 4 hole cards
    2. First betting round
    3. Flop: 3 community cards are dealt
    4. Second betting round
    5. Turn: 4th community card dealt
    6. Third betting round
    7. River: 5th community card dealt
    8. Final betting round
    9. Showdown: Pot is split between high and low hands (if low qualifies)

    Hand Rankings in Omaha Hi/Lo

    High Hand Rankings

    The high hand follows standard poker hand rankings, just like in Hold’em:
    • Royal Flush
    • Straight Flush
    • Four of a Kind
    • Full House
    • Flush
    • Straight
    • Three of a Kind
    • Two Pair
    • One Pair
    • High Card

    Low Hand Rankings

    To qualify for the low half of the pot:
    • All five cards must be ranked 8 or lower
    • No pairs
    • Straights and flushes don’t hurt a low hand
    • The best possible low hand is A-2-3-4-5
    • Aces are always low for the low hand, but high for the high hand

    Understanding Split Pots

    When both a high and a low hand are present, each gets half of the pot.

    Key Split Pot Scenarios

    No Qualifying Low Hand

    If no one qualifies for a low, the high hand wins the entire pot.

    One Player Wins Both

    If a player has both the best high and low, they scoop the pot.

    Tied High or Low Hands

    That portion of the pot is split evenly among tied players.

    Example

    Board is: 3♠5♠4♥9♠Q♠
    • Player A: A♠2♥ = best low
    • Player B: K♠8♠ = best high (king-high flush)
    Result: Player A wins low half, Player B wins high half

    Betting Structure in Omaha Hi/Lo

    Pot-Limit Omaha Hi/Lo (PLO8)

    • Max bet is the size of the pot
    • Most common version online
    • More action and bigger pots than limit games

    Fixed-Limit Omaha Hi/Lo

    • Structured betting in fixed increments
    • Common in mixed games or low-stakes formats

    Where to Play Omaha Hi/Lo Online

    Real Money Poker Sites

    Play Money Options

    • PokerStars Play
    • Replay Poker
    • Zynga Poker (private tables may include PLO8)

    Famous Players Known for Omaha Hi/Lo

    Several high-stakes pros are known for excelling in split-pot games like PLO8:
    • Mike Matusow – Regular performer in WSOP Omaha Hi/Lo events
    • Eli Elezra – Strong in all mixed and split-pot formats
    • Daniel Negreanu – Well-rounded player with success in PLO8
    • Scotty Nguyen – Known for both Omaha and Stud Hi/Lo titles

    Final Takeaway

    Omaha Hi/Lo offers more ways to win and more dynamic hand combinations than many other poker games. Understanding how the high and low hands work — and how to qualify for low — is the key to getting started. Whether you're playing PLO8 online or learning the ropes at home, this guide gives you all the rules you need to play it right.

    FAQs: Omaha Hi/Lo Rules

    What does “8 or better” mean?

    It means only hands with cards ranked 8 or lower (and no pairs) can qualify for the low half of the pot.

    Can a hand win both high and low?

    Yes. If a player has the best hand in both categories, they scoop the entire pot.

    Do straights or flushes hurt a low hand?

    No. For the low side, straights and flushes don’t count against you.

    Can two players tie for the low?

    Yes. If their five lowest cards are equal, they split the low portion of the pot.

    Is PLO8 the same as Omaha Hi/Lo?

    Yes. PLO8 is the short name for Pot-Limit Omaha 8 or Better, also known as Omaha Hi/Lo.