Omaha Poker

General Description of Omaha Poker

Omaha Poker is one of the most common versions of this popular game of chance. It is very similar to Texas hold'em. A 52-card deck without jokers, a special poker table, and other equipment are used to play this game. Up to ten players can participate in this game.

The aim is to obtain a pot formed by the bets of the players. This can be done by collecting the best poker hand, using two out of four pocket cards and three out of five community cards. It is also possible to become its owner, becoming the only participant of the round.

Standard poker hands, except for the ace-king, are valid in Omaha Poker. We are going to enumerate them in descending order:

• royal flush,
• straight flush,
• four of a kind,
• full house,
• flush,
• straight,
• three of a kind,
• two pairs,
• pair,
• and a high card.

The player must use two pocket cards and three community cards to form a hand. This is the main difference between Omaha Poker and Texas hold'em.

Omaha Poker has two kinds of forced bets that must be made by players in turn at the beginning of every game round:

• The small blind is a bet equal to half the minimum bet determined by the table limit. It has to be made by the player sitting clockwise next to the dealer (the dealer button).
• The big blind is a bet equal to the minimum bet determined by the table limit. It has to be made by the player to the left of the small blind.

A special marker called a button is used in Omaha Poker. It is transferred clockwise after each new deal. It determines the dealer, as well as the players who are obliged to make small and big blinds. A player sitting next to the dealer has to make a small blind. The big blind is made by the next player.

Omaha Poker Gameplay

Before the beginning of each deal, the corresponding players make small and big blinds. Then the croupier deals them four face-down cards (pocket cards). After that, the rounds of betting start.

• Pre-flop. The first round is called pre-flop. The first decision is made by the player next to the big blind. He or she may fold, call (make a bet equal to the big blind), or raise. If one of the players raises, his or her opponents may re-raise. The next stage of the game starts when all players call.
• Flop is the next stage that starts when three face-up cards are placed on the table. They are called flops. They can be used to form hands by all players. Then the second round of betting starts. The first decision is made by the player sitting next to the button. He or she can bet within the limits of a given table, check, or fold. This round ends when all contestants call.
• Turn is a round in which another community card called turn is revealed. Betting occurs in the same way as in the previous round.
• River is the last community card, which is revealed in this round. Then the last round of betting starts.
• Showdown occurs when more than one player is still in-game. Contestants compare their hands. The winner is determined. He or she collects the entire pot. If hands of players are equal, they share the pot.

Then the button is transferred to the next player clockwise, and the new deal starts.

Versions of Omaha Poker

Depending on the betting structure, Omaha Poker can be limit, pot limit, and no-limit. There are also variations of this game with different rules (Omaha Hi/Lo, Omaha Eight-or-Better, etc.).

Where to play