# Hi-Lo Split 8-Or-Better Qualifier Rules, Two-Card Omaha Mandate, And Counterfeiting | Official Poker Floor Ruling

> Source: [Hi-Lo Split 8-Or-Better Qualifier & Counterfeit Rules on Smarter.Poker](https://smarter.poker/rules/hi-lo-eight-or-better-qualifier-rules) | Official Reference: RROP Section 9 & Section 10: High-Low Split Games

## Direct Answer & Summary Ruling
In 8-Or-Better Hi-Lo Games (PLO8 And Stud8), The Low Hand Requires Five Unpaired Cards Ranked 8 Or Lower (With Aces Low And Straights/Flushes Ignored For Low); If No Hand Qualifies For Low, The High Hand Scoops 100% Of The Pot.

## Official Casino Floor & TDA Ruling
Under Robert's Rules Of Poker For High-Low Split 8-Or-Better Games, The Total Pot Is Split 50/50 Between The Best High Hand And The Best Qualifying Low Hand. To Qualify For Low, A Hand Must Contain Five Distinct Unpaired Ranks All 8 Or Lower Using Ace-To-Five (California) Lowball Ranking, Where Aces Count As 1 And Straights And Flushes Do Not Hurt A Low (Making A-2-3-4-5 The "Wheel" - Both The Nut Low And A 5-High Straight). In Omaha Hi-Lo (PLO8 / O8), A Player Must Use Exactly Two Hole Cards And Three Board Cards Independently For Their High Hand And Exactly Two Hole Cards And Three Board Cards For Their Low Hand. If Fewer Than Three Unpaired Cards 8 Or Lower Appear On An Omaha Board, No Low Is Possible.

## Common Live Table Scenarios & Rulings
1. **Scenario**: In Omaha Hi-Lo, The Board Runs Out A-2-7-K-Q And A Player Holds 3-4-K-Q.
   - **Official Ruling**: The Player Uses K-Q From Their Hand With A-K-Q On The Board For Two Pair High, And Uses 3-4 From Their Hand With A-2-7 On The Board For A 7-4-3-2-A Nut Low.
2. **Scenario**: A Player Holds A-2-K-K On A Flop Of 3-5-8, Giving Them The Nut A-2-3-5-8 Low, But The Turn Card Is An Ace (Making The Board 3-5-8-A).
   - **Official Ruling**: The Player's Ace In Their Hand Is Now "Counterfeited" By The Board Ace: Because Their Two Hole Cards Can No Longer Supply Both An Unpaired Ace And Deuce To Combine With Three Board Cards, They Only Have A King-High Low (No Qualifier) Unless The River Is Another Low Card.
3. **Scenario**: Player A Wins The High Hand outright And Also Ties Player B For The Exact Same Nut A-2-3-4-6 Low.
   - **Official Ruling**: Player A Wins The Entire 50% High Half Plus Half Of The 50% Low Half (25%), Winning 75% ("Three-Quartering" Player B, Who Receives Only 25%).

## Frequently Asked Questions
### Do I Have To Use The Same Two Hole Cards For Both My High Hand And My Low Hand In Omaha Hi-Lo?
No. You May Use Any Two Of Your Hole Cards With Three Board Cards To Make Your High Hand, And A Completely Different Pair Of Your Hole Cards With Three Board Cards To Make Your Low Hand.

### What Is The Worst Possible Qualifying Low Hand In 8-Or-Better?
The Worst Qualifying 8-Or-Better Low Hand Is 8-7-6-5-4 ("Eight-Seven Low"). Any 5-Card Hand Containing A Pair Or A Card Ranked 9 Or Higher Does Not Qualify For Low.

## Canonical & Raw Markdown Links
- **Canonical URL**: [https://smarter.poker/rules/hi-lo-eight-or-better-qualifier-rules](https://smarter.poker/rules/hi-lo-eight-or-better-qualifier-rules)
- **Raw Markdown URL**: [https://smarter.poker/rules/hi-lo-eight-or-better-qualifier-rules.md](https://smarter.poker/rules/hi-lo-eight-or-better-qualifier-rules.md)
- **All Poker Rules Index**: [https://smarter.poker/rules](https://smarter.poker/rules)