QA- Understanding the lo hand in Omaha Hi-Lo

Hi Annie-

In Omaha Hi-Lo, I know that the best lo hand is A2345 and that the second best is A2346. But what is the third best lo … A2347 or A3456 and why?

Confused in Colorado, Lauri

Lauri:

Actually, it’s neither of those, sorry.

In all high-low split games, the low is figured from the top card down. Best low is 5-4-3-2-A (except in razz, but let’s let that go for now.) Second best low is 6-4-3-2-A. Third best low is 6-5-3-2-A. Why? Because you look at the top card first, and when they’re both the same – 6 – you look at the second highest card next. Since 4 is lower than 5, the 6-4-3-2-A beats the 6-5-3-2-A. By that logic, any six-high low will be better than any seven-high low, even a “smooth” low, like 7-4-3-2-A. Here. I’ll give you a little quiz to help you get the hang of it. Tell me which of these lows is lower:

A) 7-6-5-4-3 or B) 7-6-4-3-A
A) 8-6-3-2-A or B) 8-5-4-3-2
A) T-9-8-7-5 or B) T-9-8-7-4
A) 6-5-4-3-3 or B) K-Q-J-T-2

B is the right answer for all of them. That last one’s kind of tricky because there’s a pair there. Remember that pairs “counterfeit” or kill your low. Hope it helps!

xo
annie