Omaha Poker Rules

Omaha Poker rules are extremely similar to the the rules of Texas Holdem.
A player who is already familiar with Texas Holdem rules and strategies should find learning how to play the game (sometimes even called Omaha Holdem) relatively simple.

Learning the Basics

The major difference between Omaha Poker rules and Texas Holdem is that instead of two hole cards as in Holdem, players receive four private cards placed face down (aka: the pocket).

Omaha Poker rules dictate that the hand at the showdown must be created from only two of the four pocket cards and three community cards.

This final hand rule makes it easier for players to make a better hand since they get to choose from nine cards instead of seven.

There is another version of the game called Omaha Hi Lo which has slightly different requirements.

Starting Omaha Poker - The Blinds

The blinds are forced bets placed by two players seated to the immediate left of the dealer at the beginning of each hand. Exactly as in Texas Holdem, the blinds are posted before any cards are dealt.

The Small Blind, placed by the player who sits directly to the left of the dealer, is 50% of the small stake (in fixed-limit games), and the Big Blind, placed by the player who sits directly to the left of the Small Blind, is 100% of the small stake. The Blinds are used as an incentive for players to sweeten the pot.

Step by Step Omaha Poker Rules

Preflop:

After the Blinds are posted, each participating player receives four cards face down to his pocket. The first player to act is the one seated to the immediate left to the Big Blind. He can either call, raise or fold as he wishes. A betting round is held. In fixed limit games, the first two betting rounds use the lower game stake for all raises.

The Flop:

The dealer deals three cards to the middle of the table face up., known as 'the Flop.' Next, everyone makes their bets. This betting round still uses the low game stake for all raises and bets. For instance, in a 2/4 game, the lower stake amount is, of course, 2.

The "Turn":

The dealer deals the fourth community card face up. A new betting round begins and it uses the high game stake amount. The betting action takes place until all players' bets are called.

The "River":

The dealer finally deals the fifth and the last community card face up. The last betting round takes place. This betting round also uses the high game stake amount for all bets and raises.

The Showdown:

After the bets are called, all players must reveal their hands to determine the winner. The strongest five-card hand nabs the coveted pot. (The hand rankings are the same as in most poker games).