Pot Limit Omaha Hi Lo Strategy

The fact that the pot is split between the highest poker hand and the lowest hand (5 different cards 8 and below) create some unique strategy dilemmas in Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo. This article looks at how to get the best of both worlds in this high-action poker game – by aiming to scoop the pot.

We will start by looking at the basic starting hand selection in Pot Limit Omaha hi-lo in the context of aiming to win both sides of the pot. Next we look at how to play drawing hands and the dangers of being ‘quartered’. Finally table position and how to adjust your strategy to the tendencies of your opponents will be covered.

Starting Hands

With 4 hole cards, any 2 of which must be used in conjunction with 3 cards from the board to make each of the ‘high’ and ‘ low’ hands - it appears that many starting hands have some value in pot limit Omaha hi-lo. However the better strategy is actually to play less starting hands than in the high-only version of the game. The reason is that adding both high and low hands together you will end up playing too many starting hands, giving opponents who wait for premium holdings an insurmountable edge over you.

The best starting hands have a chance of winning both the high and the low sides of the pot. Since at showdown these hands are determined independently an ace (for example) can be used in both sides of the pot. Hands with small suited cards are considered to be premium – especially when they contain an ace suited with other cards. These hands can make flushes and straights to win the high side of the pot – and make low hands too.

Betting Styles

Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo will often involve multi-way pots before the flop. Since betting increases are dictated by the size of the pot, large bets are usually seen on later streets. This means that flopping a draw can get expensive quickly. The golden rule here is to ensure that you are drawing to the strongest possible hands. Only draw to the lowest low hand or the nut (or close) high hand. Pot limit betting can mean that most of your stack is gone before you realize that you are trying to make a second best hand.

A perennial danger in Omaha Hi-Lo is being ‘quartered’. This happens when you share one side of the pot while an opponent takes the other side. The most common form of being quartered is when 2 players share the low – with one of them also making the high hand.

Since Ace-two can make a nut low hand this is commonly played pre-flop, if the betting gets heavy with draws available on the board there is always a danger that an opponent holding that same Ace-two also has the high wrapped up – meaning that for every $1 you put into the pot you’ll get just 25c back.

Position

Position is an important strategy factor in pot limit Omaha high-low. From the dealer button you have a great opportunity to isolate an overly aggressive opponent before the flop – or to flat call when your hand plays better multi-way. At a tight table you can use the advantage of later position to raise many pots. If your table is loose or wild then flat calling can be a better strategy – with the objective of re-raising on the flop if you make your hand or hit a strong draw.

To summarize, Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo is a game of multiple draws. Ensure that your starting hand selection is disciplined and preferably includes ‘baby suited cards’, loosening up only from later position. Avoid being quartered by playing hands with the potential to scoop the whole pot – and as with all Omaha poker games ensure that you only draw to the strongest possible hands. 

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