Learn Omaha Poker Rules

Omaha Poker rules are very similar to those of Texas Hold ‘Em Poker. The basic objective of Omaha Poker is to create the best five-card poker card from a total of nine cards. The player with the highest-ranking poker hand wins the pot. Anywhere from two to ten players are required.

The nine cards are a combination of four pocket cards and five community cards. Because of the abundance of cards, the resulting combinations are usually stronger in Omaha Poker than in other variations.

Rules of Omaha

As in Texas Hold ‘Em, the two players to the left of the dealer begin by placing blind bets. The player directly to the dealer’s left posts the small blind and the player to their left posts the big blind. The dealer’s position rotates clockwise around the table as the rounds progress.

After the blinds have been posted, the deal begins by dealing four pocket cards face down to each player. The betting begins with the player to the left of the player who posted the big blind. The betting occurs in the standard way, a player may fold, bet, or raise when it is their turn. The first round of betting is capped at one bet and three raises per player.

The second round begins with the dealer discarding, or burning, the top card and then dealing three community cards face up. The community cards can be used by all players. These first three cards are known as the “flop.” The second round of betting then begins with the player to the left of the dealer.

In the third round, after burning the top card, a fourth community card is dealt, known as the “turn.” Another round of betting follows. In the fourth round another card is burned and a fifth and final community card is dealt. This is called the “river card.” The final round of betting follows. The remaining Players then use two of their pocket cards and three of the community cards to create the best five-card high hand possible. Unlike Texas Hold ‘Em Poker, winning hands must consist of two pocket cards and three community cards. Because of the number of cars to choose from, straights and flushes are common. At the showdown, the entire four-card pocket should be shown to receive the pot.

Omaha Hi/Lo

A common variation of Omaha Poker rules is Omaha Hi/Lo Poker. Omaha Hi/Lo is played exactly the same as standard Omaha poker except that the remaining players use two of their pocket cards and three of the community cards to create the best five-card low and five-card high hand possible. The two Players with the best high and low hands split the pot. Low hands can only win if all the cards in the hand have a value of 8 or less.

It is not always possible to create both a low hand and a high hand. Sometimes you can only play for either the high hand or the low hand, but it is possible to win the entire pot by having both the highest and lowest hands. If you and another player tie on a hand, you both win a quarter of the pot. This is known as the pot being quartered.