Omaha poker - rules

Popularity of Omaha poker is increasing with many new players discovering the game every day. This article will introduce you to the basic rules of Omaha poker.

What is Omaha poker?

There are several variations of Omaha poker but the basics are the same for all of them. Omaha poker is a community card game with four betting rounds: preflop, on the flop, turn and river just like its more popular brother Texas Holdem. There is only one difference which has a huge influence on your strategy in Omaha – instead of 2, each player is dealt 4 hole cards.

Variations of Omaha

Omaha can be played in a few different ways with differences in the betting structure or whether it is a high only or a Hi-Lo split game. Most common betting structure is Pot-Limit but it can also be played as a Fixed Limit or a No-Limit game.

In Omaha high only games, the best 5 card high hand wins the pot. In Hi-Lo Omaha games, both high and low hands have to be determined at the showdown while the cards can be used for both high and low hands. The pot is split between best high hand and best low hand.

Preflop

Just like Texas Holdem, in Omaha poker there are 2 blinds, small and big blind and a dealer. Before cards are dealt, the small blind has to put in to the pot half the small bet and the big blind puts up the full small bet. Each player is dealt four cards, face down.

Betting structure

A round of betting takes place, beginning with the player to the left of the big blind. When its their turn to act players can choose between calling a previous bet, raising or folding.

The Flop

The dealer flips three community cards face up on the table. This is called the "Flop“. After the flop, second round of betting takes place with the player to the left of the button. During all rounds of betting, when it’s their turn to act players can either check, call if someone bet before them, raise or fold.

The Turn

The dealer flips one more card face up onto the table. This community card is called the "Turn" (or "4th street"). The first player left of the button acts first in the third round of betting.

The River

The dealer flips the final face up card on the table. This card is called the "River" (or "5th street"). Again, betting round starts and a player left of the dealer is the first one to act.

Showdown

To form the best possible five card poker hand, players have to use exactly three community cards and exactly two of their hole cards. If there are players still remaining in the game after the final betting round, we have a showdown. The player who made the inital bet or the player who made the last raise in the last betting round on the fifth street shows his hand first.

Poker rules - other games:
Texas Hold’em rules
Razz poker rules