Overview

7 Сard omaha hi-lo is the variation of 7 Сard omaha.
The key factor in 7 Сard omaha hi-lo is that the pot is split at showdown between the highest combination and the "lowest" combination.
To qualify for a low combination players must have 5 cards of different ranks with a rank of "8" or below ("eight or better"). Ace can be a card of minimal rank. The best possible low combination is "A-2-3-4-5". Combination must contain exactly 2 of 7 hole cards and 3 of 5 community cards dealt face up.
The game uses a 52-card card deck. 2 to 6 players can take part in 7 Сard omaha hi-lo.

Game Types

• Limit – bet as well as raise is agreed in advance. For example, in a $1/2 Limit game, in first two rounds both bet and raise must be equal to $ 1. In last two rounds bet and raise must be equal to $ 2.
• Pot Limit – the maximum bet and raise shouldn't exceed the current pot amount. Maximum raise is the size of the pot, which is defined as the total of the active pot plus all bets on the table plus the double amount the active player must first call. For example, if the pot amount is $10 and the first player bets $10, the second player could bet a total of $40:
  • $10 is the active pot;
  • $10 is the bet sum on table;
  • $20 is the double call.
• No Limit – there is no maximum bet limit. Any player makes any bet in any betting round. Minimum bet is equal to big blind.

Betting

The game consists of initial bank formation by the blinds, four betting rounds and showdown.

Blinds

Before a game starts the player on the dealer's left posts a small blind, and the player on the small blind's left posts a big blind bet. Big blind usually doubles the small blind bet.

Pre-Flop

Each player gets 7 hole cards, cards that the other players cannot see. The player on the big blind's left begins a round of betting. This player can do one of the following:

• Call – equal the amount bet in the big blind;
• Raise – increase the bet;
• Fold – surrender his cards.

The same action can make each player when it is their turn to bet. When all the players make equal bets in the pot, betting round is completed and the game goes to the flop.

Flop

Three cards are dealt face-up on the board in this round. This is known as ‘the flop’. Betting on the flop begins with the player on the dealer's left.

Turn

When the betting action is completed for the flop round, the ‘turn’ is dealt face-up on the board. The turn is the fourth community card.

River

When betting action is completed for the turn round, the ‘river’ is dealt face-up on the board. The river is the fifth and final community card. The final betting round begins.

Showdown

When all bets get equal, it is time to show the cards. The last player who bets or raises during the final betting round shows his cards first. If during the last betting round all the remaining players are checking (nobody betting), the first player to the left from dealer shows his cards first. The other players reveal their cards moving clockwise around the table. If player’s current hand is weaker than winning hand shown, he may muck his cards.

Determining the Winner

The player with the highest five-card combination (exactly 2 hole cards plus 3 community cards) for high wins half the pot.
If there are several players with high combination, a winner is determined by the high card of the combination (then, the second high card, etc). If there are several players with equal high combinations, their pot share is split between them evenly.

The player with the lowest five-card combination (exactly 2 hole cards plus 3 community cards) for low wins the other half of the pot.
To qualify for a low combination players must have 5 cards of different ranks with a rank of "8" or below ("eight or better"). Ace can be a card of minimal rank. The best possible low combination is "A-2-3-4-5".
If there are several players with low combination, a winner is determined by the "high" card of the combination which is the lowest card in this case (then, the second high card, etc). If there are several players with equal low combinations, their pot share is split between them evenly.

The same player can have both the best high and the best low combinations.

The same hole cards may simultaneously be a part of the high and of the low combinations.

In the event that no combination qualifies for low, the best high combination wins the whole pot.