Master the Rules, Strategies & Winning Plays for Every Omaha Variation
Introduction – Why Play Omaha Poker?
Omaha is one of the most exciting and fast-paced poker variants, known for big pots, action-packed hands, and strong draws. It’s played in two main variations:
Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) – The most popular version, where the maximum bet is limited to the size of the pot.
Omaha Hi/Lo (Omaha 8 or Better) – A split-pot game where the best high hand and the best low hand split the pot.
Omaha is often seen as a step up from Texas Hold’em because of the added complexity of four hole cards instead of two. In this guide, you’ll learn:
- The rules of Omaha & its key differences from Hold’em
- Essential strategy for PLO and Omaha Hi/Lo
- How to choose the right hands and avoid common mistakes
- How to adjust for cash games vs. tournaments
Whether you’re new to Omaha or looking to sharpen your skills, this guide will give you the knowledge and strategy needed to win.
Omaha Poker Rules – How the Game Works
Omaha follows a structure similar to Texas Hold’em, but with a few key differences.
How to Play Omaha – The Basics
- Each player is dealt four hole cards (instead of two in Hold’em).
- Players must use exactly two of their hole cards and exactly three of the five community cards to make their best hand.
- There are four betting rounds: preflop, flop, turn, and river.
- The best five-card hand at showdown wins the pot (or in Hi/Lo, the best high and low hands split the pot).
Key Rule Differences from Texas Hold’em
- More hole cards → Stronger hands – Two pair in Omaha is weak, while straights and flushes are common.
- Pot-Limit Betting (in PLO) – Unlike No-Limit Hold’em, you can’t go all-in at any time unless the pot allows it.
- Split-Pot Possibilities (in Hi/Lo) – The lowest qualifying hand (five different cards ranked 8 or lower) can win half the pot.
Once you understand these basics, you’re ready to dive into strategy and hand selection.
Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) Strategy – How to Win at High-Action Poker
Pot Limit Omaha is the most popular Omaha variant played in casinos and online. Since you have four hole cards instead of two, the game plays faster and looser than Hold’em.
Best Starting Hands in PLO
Unlike Hold’em, where a single high pair can be dominant, in PLO you need strong, coordinated hands that can hit multiple draws.
Premium Hands (Play Aggressively)
- Double-Suited Aces: A♠ A♣ K♠ K♣
- Connected Rundowns: J♠ 10♠ 9♦ 8♦ (suited)
- High Pairs with Flush Possibilities: K♦ K♠ Q♦ J♠
Weak Hands (Avoid These)
- Triple-Paired Hands: A♠ A♥ A♦ 9♣ (you can only use two hole cards)
- Disconnected Hands: 9♠ 5♦ 4♣ 2♥
- Low Pocket Pairs: 6♠ 6♣ 9♦ 2♥ (small sets are easily beaten in PLO)
The Importance of Position in PLO
Just like in Texas Hold’em, position is a huge advantage in PLO. Acting last allows you to:
- Control pot size
- Bluff more effectively
- See how your opponents act before making decisions
Best Positions to Play More Hands: Button (Dealer) & Cutoff
Worst Positions to Play Loose: Small Blind & Big Blind
Biggest Adjustments from Hold’em to PLO
- One pair is rarely good – In Hold’em, top pair can win pots. In PLO, it’s often worthless.
- Drawing hands are stronger than made hands – A big wrap straight draw + flush draw can have over 50% equity against a set.
- Equities run closer – Even a strong hand can still only be a slight favorite against multiple opponents.
Omaha Hi/Lo Strategy – How to Play and Win at Split-Pot Poker
Omaha Hi/Lo (also called Omaha 8 or Better) adds another layer of complexity because each pot can be split between a high and a low hand.
How Does the Hi/Lo Split Work?
- The best high hand wins half of the pot.
- The best qualifying low hand (five different cards ranked 8 or lower) wins the other half.
- If no one has a low hand, the high hand wins the entire pot.
What Qualifies as a Low Hand?
For a hand to qualify as a low, it must meet the following criteria:
- Five different cards ranked 8 or lower
- Aces count as low and high
- Straights and flushes do not affect the low hand
- Pairs do not qualify for a low hand
If nobody makes a qualifying low hand, then the high hand wins the entire pot.
Best Low Hands (The Nuts)
Just like in Hold’em or PLO, not all hands are equal. The best possible low hand is A-2-3-4-5 (also called the “wheel”).
Best low hands (strongest possible lows):
- A-2-3-4-5 (The wheel – unbeatable low hand)
- A-2-3-4-6
- A-2-3-5-6
- A-2-4-5-6
Other strong low hands (still good but not the nuts):
- A-2-3-7-8
- A-3-4-5-7
Not a qualifying low hand (no five unique low cards):
- A-2-3-3-6 (Contains a pair, so it does not qualify)
- J-9-7-5-3 (Has a 9 and J, so it does not qualify)
How to Rank Low Hands
Since multiple players can qualify for the low hand, you must know how to rank them. Low hands are ranked from the highest card down.
Example: Who Wins the Low?
Player 1: A-2-3-5-6
Player 2: A-2-3-5-7
Player 3: A-3-4-5-8
Player 1 wins the low because their highest card is 6.
Player 2 loses to Player 1 because their highest card is 7.
Player 3 loses to both because their highest card is 8.
Low hands are read from highest card downward, just like in high-hand rankings.
Split Pots – What Happens When Two Players Have the Same Low?
It’s common for multiple players to have the same low hand. In this case, they split the low portion of the pot.
Example:
- The pot is $1,000, and two players both have A-2-3-4-6 (the same nut low).
- The high hand wins $500.
- The low half ($500) is split between the two low players.
- Each low player gets $250.
Remember: when playing Omaha Hi/Lo, your goal should always be to win the entire pot (scoop), not just half.
Starting Hand Selection for Hi/Lo
Best Hands to Play
- A-A-2-3 double-suited (great high and low potential)
- A-2-X-X hands (A-2 is the best low draw)
- Strong two-way hands (like A♠ K♠ 2♣ 3♣, which plays well for both high and low)
Hands to Avoid
- Uncoordinated hands (like K-Q-7-6, which doesn’t help in either direction)
- Weak high hands with no low potential (like Q-J-10-9)
Key Strategies for Hi/Lo Success
- Always aim to scoop the entire pot – A hand that only wins half the pot isn’t always profitable.
- Be careful chasing the low hand – If an opponent already has A-2, your low draw is dead.
- Play aggressively with nut potential hands – If you have the best possible low and high draws, apply pressure.
Cash Games vs. Tournaments – Adjusting Your Strategy
Your approach in Omaha should change depending on whether you’re playing cash games or tournaments.
Cash Game Strategy
- Play deeper stacks, so bankroll management is key.
- Focus on making the best hands, since you’ll often be playing against strong competition.
- Bluffing is less effective, since people are more willing to call with strong draws.
Tournament Strategy
- As stacks get shorter, big hands like A-A-K-K double-suited go up in value.
- Position is even more important—stealing blinds and controlling the pot is key.
- Adjust to opponents—some players are way too loose, and others are too tight.
Final Tips & Next Steps – Start Winning in Omaha Today
Omaha is one of the most exciting and profitable poker variants if you understand the fundamentals.
Step 1: Download Our Free Omaha Starting Hands Chart
Get a printable guide with the best Omaha hands for both PLO and Hi/Lo.
Step 2: Play Omaha at Americas Cardroom (ACR) and Build Your Skills
Sign up at Americas Cardroom and get a 100% deposit bonus when you start playing.
Step 3: Master the Fundamentals and Move Up in Stakes
- Play strong, coordinated hands and avoid weak holdings.
- Always consider your position before playing a hand.
- Adapt for cash games vs. tournaments and PLO vs. Hi/Lo.
Many players switch to Omaha because the action is bigger and more exciting than Texas Hold’em. With the right strategy, you can dominate the competition.
Ready to play? Join ACR today and put your Omaha skills to the test.
