Omaha High-Low Split Poker

Omaha High-low poker is based around the idea of the highest hand splitting the pot of winnings with the lowest (as long as it qualifies).

Before the dealer (designated by a dealer 'button', also one of the players) is allowed to deal any cards, the person to their left has to put in the small blind, equivalent to half the minimum bet at the table, and the person two to the left of the dealer must put in the big blind, equivalent to the minimum bet.

Each player is then dealt 4 cards. Starting with the player to the left of the big blind, they must either call the big blind's bet, raise or fold. Play continues around until it reaches the big blind again, when they can call, raise or fold themselves. The big blind counts as a bet, so if they fold, they lose it.

Only two of the four cards in the player's hand can be used at the end.

Next, the dealer will turn over three "flop" cards in the middle of the table. Bets can be thrown in and the same rules apply, starting left of the dealer.
The dealer will turn over another card, the "Turn" card. Another round of betting takes place.

Finally, the "River" card is turned over, and the final round of betting takes place.

Playing the actual game
Next comes the Showdown. Each player must determine, provided they're still 'in', the highest five-card hand or the lowest five-card hand possible, using two of the original cards in your hand, and three of the cards on the table.

The high hand is ranked according to standard poker rules, above.

The low hand should have five cards ranked eight or lower, with the highest card deciding the winner (the lowest high card, that is). Whoever has the lowest card which is the highest in their hand will win the low stake.

In the low hand, standard poker rankings do not apply. A straight or pair means nothing. Four of a kind, even if they are aces or twos, would be best played in the high hand. All cards in a low hand must be eight or lower.

The pot is then shared evenly between the best high hand (Royal Flush or 5-of a kind obviously beats all), and the best low hand (the best here being A, 2, 3, 4, 5).

Next, the dealer's button is moved clockwise around the table, so everyone gets a chance to deal.

Good hands to have

• For the high hand, the same as any other poker game.
• For the low hand, any low numbers.
• You have quite a few cards to choose from, so don't forget that - you must use two from your initial hand, then three others from the other five on the table, so there's plenty of choice to make either hand up.
  The best starting hand is Ace, Ace, 2, 3 as it gives you a chance to go for the high (AA) and low (A, 2 or 2, 3).
   

Bad hands to have.

• Always fold on any four of a kind in your original four dealt, including four picture cards and aces, because you can only use two of them.
• Most triples should be folded on as well, apart from Aces and Twos
• Most unpaired cards in the middle of the deck should be folded as well, such as nines, sixes and so on, provided you have one of each.
  Other tips
• Don't bet high on most initial low hands, as there's a chance someone else will have a similar one and then you could end up putting more in to the pot than you're getting out, should there be four or more winners.

Look out for certain combinations in the flops, for example numbers that are near to one another or a lot of one suit - these could result in other players getting straights or flushes that could beat your three-of-a-kind or other good hands.

Don't be afraid to fold if you're not sure of yourself.