Omaha Hi/Lo: Point Count System

There is a big difference between a system and a sure thing. A good example of a sure thing would be a date with Anna Nicole Smith if you are over 70 and a multimillionaire. The outcome of that event is almost predestined. A system is something you do during a game to put yourself in a better position to win.

The ultimate objective of this system is to tell the difference between a hand that has an above average chance of winning and one that should only be played if you have an appointment with Dr. Kevorkian the next day. What the player is looking for are hands that have a chance of winning both high and low in a split pot game.

The first step in evaluating your hand is to see if it is a “high-only” hands. To qualify, all four of your cards must be Ten or above and include (1) two pair, or (2) a pair and two suited cards, or (3) two double suits. Eliminate any high hand containing three of the same rank.

If your hand does not have what it takes to be an “High only” hand the next step is to see if your hand can be played as a low or two-way hand. This determination is made by adding the number of points obtained in these four simple:

Step one, look at your two lowest cards and award points as follows:

A-2 equals 20 pts.
A-3 equals 17 pts.
A-4 equals 13 pts.
A-5 equals 10 pts.
2-3 equals 15 pts.
2-4 equals 12 pts.
3-4 equals 11 pts.
4-5 equals 8 pts.
Anything else = no pts.
Step two, look at your two remaining cards ("kickers") and award points as follows:

3 equals 9 pts.
4 equals 6 pts.
5 equals 4 pts.
Jack, Queen, or King equals 2 pts.
6 or Ten equals 1 point
Do not award any "kicker" points for a cards that are a duplicate of a card used in step one. If the kicker is paired it is counted only once under this step.

Step three, if you have any pairs, add points as follows:

Aces equal 8 pts.
Kings equal 6 pts.
Queens equal 5 pts.
Jacks equal 2 pts.
Tens equal one point
Fours equal one point
Threes equal one point
Deuces equal 3 pts.
Deduct half of the points awarded under this step if you have three cards of the same rank.

Step four, if you hold two suited cards and the highest of them is:

an Ace, add 4 pts.
a King, add 3 pts.
a Queen or Jack, add 2 pts.
an 8, 9, or Ten, one pt.
Deduct half of the points awarded under this step if your hand contains three cards of the same suit and award no points if all of the cards are of the same suit.

Each hand will have a point total between 0 and 45 points. Hands with 20 points or more should be played and you can feel comfortable raising when holding a hand with 30 points or more.