5 Card Omaha Hi/Lo is a popular and challenging split-pot version of Omaha poker that increases both strategic depth and excitement. In this format, the pot is divided between two winning hands: the best high hand, following traditional Omaha rules, and the best low hand, which must consist of five unpaired cards ranked eight or lower—a condition often referred to as the “eight or better” rule.
Each player is dealt five private hole cards, but the rule remains the same: you must use exactly two hole cards and three community cards to form both your high and low hands. This dual usage of cards creates a unique strategic layer, as players must evaluate the potential for both hand types from a single pool of cards. This increases the importance of card selection, board awareness, and hand reading.
What makes 5 Card Omaha Hi/Lo particularly dynamic is the concept of scooping—when a player wins both the high and low portions of the pot. Certain starting hands, like A-2 double suited with backup for high potential (e.g., suited A-K-2), are especially valuable because they offer the chance to dominate both ends of the pot. These scoop hands significantly increase a player’s expected value.
The format demands that players continuously assess not just their own hand strength, but how well their hand competes across both dimensions of the pot. It’s not enough to have a strong high hand; if an opponent claims the low, you’re only taking half the winnings. Knowing when to bet, raise, or fold becomes far more complex when two outcomes are in play.
Overall, 5 Card Omaha Hi/Lo is a favorite among seasoned players for its mix of advanced strategy, multi-level thinking, and bigger pots. The constant balance between chasing the high, protecting the low, and spotting scoop opportunities makes this format one of the most mentally rewarding in the poker world.