Game foundation
Omaha Hi-Lo is a split-pot game with two simultaneous hand problems.
The high half follows normal poker rankings. The low half usually requires five different cards ranked 8 or lower, with aces playing low. If no qualifying low exists, the high hand wins the entire pot.
Two-card rule still applies
For both high and low, you must use exactly two hole cards and exactly three board cards. You may use different hole-card combinations for your high and your low.
What “8-or-better” means
A qualifying low normally contains five distinct ranks with no card higher than 8. Straights and flushes do not disqualify a low under ace-to-five lowball conventions. A-2-3-4-5 is the best possible low.
Scoop
Win both halves—or win high when no low qualifies.
Split
One player wins high and another wins low.
Quartered
Two players tie for one half while another player wins the other half.