Beginner Basic rules and gameplay of Stud 8/Omaha 8 Americas Cardroom June 27, 2024 Stud 8/Omaha 8 requires a great deal of ability to think and react quickly Stud 8/Omaha 8, also known as Omaha Hi-Lo Split or Omaha 8-or-better, is a popular variation of Omaha poker. The game is played with a standard 52-card deck and can accommodate 2 to 10 players. The objective of Stud 8/Omaha 8 is to make the best five-card high hand as well as the best five-card low hand, using a combination of four hole cards and five community cards. The pot is split between the player with the best high hand and the player with the best low hand. However, there are specific rules for qualifying low hands. Here are some basic rules and gameplay of Stud 8/Omaha 8: Each player is dealt four private or hole cards face down. There are five community cards or board cards that are dealt face up in the center of the table throughout the game. The game consists of four betting rounds – pre-flop, post-flop, turn, and river. The first round starts with the player to the left of the dealer, and the betting action moves clockwise around the table. At the showdown, the pot is split between the player with the best high hand and the player with the best low hand. To qualify for the low hand, a player must have five unpaired cards with a value of eight or lower. If a player has the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand, they scoop the entire pot, winning both the high and low portions of the pot. The lowest possible hand in Stud 8/Omaha 8 is A-2-3-4-5, also known as the “wheel.” Note that straights and flushes do not count against the low hand. It is possible for a player to win both the high and low portions of the pot. Players must use exactly two of their hole cards and three community cards to make the best possible hand.