The Poker Basics!

Learn how to play Omaha 8 or Better by reading our easy-to-use game guide, featuring poker rules, the course of the game, terminology and much more

Omaha 8 or Better is a traditional variation of poker that is great for some friendly competition. The poker rules are very similar to Texas Hold Em, with the only difference being Omaha 8 or Better using 4 holes cards instead of 2.
Omaha 8 or Better Poker Rules:
• The aim of the game is to create the best 5 card hand using 2 hole cards and 3 board cards, according to standard poker rules for hand rankings.
• In order to qualify for a low hand, card values must not exceed 8. The person with the lowest high card is awarded the low half of the pot. Straights and flushes do not apply to low hands, and if there is no qualifying low hand, the highest ranking high hand takes the whole pot.
• Omaha 8 or Better is played with blinds, which are small mandatory bets designed to build the pot. The person left of the dealer button posts the small blind (half the small bet) and the person left of the small blind posts the big blind (the small bet).
• The game is played in a clockwise direction.
• According to Omaha 8 or Better poker rules, players can use different cards from his/her hand to qualify for the high and low.
Steps to Playing the Omaha 8 or Better Game:
1. Blinds are posted.
2. The Pre-Flop: 4 hole cards are dealt face-down to each player. The person immediately left of the big blind starts the first round of betting once each player has received his/her hole cards.
3. The Flop: 3 board cards are dealt face-up on the table and are available for all players to use. The person immediately left of the dealer starts the second round of betting.
4. The Turn: a 4th board card is dealt face-up on the table, and is followed by a 3rd round of betting.
5. The River: a 5th board card is dealt face-up on the table, and is followed by a final round of betting.
6. The Showdown: the person to have bet first in the River must reveal his/her hand first, and is followed by other players in a clockwise direction. The players with the best low and high hand win Omaha 8 or Better and are each awarded their half of the pot.