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Omaha Poker Rules

This is another popular choice amongst poker players and whilst unique are very similar to that of Texas Holdem. The game is more commonly known as Omaha Holdem (a variant of Holdem) and is second to Holdem in terms of popularity but on the rise. The rules are different to that of Hold'em although the betting and the layout of the "community cards" is identical with the exception that each player gets dealt 4 "hole cards" (the cards in your hand that only you see) instead of 2 as in holdem.

This game has the same number of community cards (the shared cards) as holdem (5). The rules are such that you must use exactly 2 out of the four cards in your hand with any 3 on the board to make the best possible 5 card poker hand. There
tends to see lots more flushes, straights and full houses as the player has more cards to choose from when trying to make the best possible hand.

So you see unlike Holdem, a player cannot use one card in his hand with four on the "board", play only the board nor play 2 from his hand and three from the board. Your hand will only qualify if you use exactly 2 cards of the four you hold with any 3 from the board. The game is a little more tricky to play, especially is you are used to playing Holdem. New players to this game often fall into the trap of playing too many hands. You need to be better prepared to fold marginal hands as more times than not in this variant, you are probably behind. Holding 2 aces pre flop (as 2 of your 4 cards) could land you in trouble as it is so easily beaten post flop.

Much like you will read in most good Holdem strategy books, playing quality hands is the profitable move. Don't get accustomed to playing poor starting hands in the hope of catching cards. Wait for a hand and then see what the flop brings.

The typical game is illustrated below for you.

All players are dealt 4 Hole cards (pre flop) + Round of Betting

The Flop (3 community cards dealt) + Round of Betting

The Turn (4th community card) + Round of Betting

The River (5th community card) + Round of Betting

SHOWDOWN (Players show their cards)

As you can see the betting structure of the game is no different to that of Holdem. The only real difference is that you get 4 hole cards instead of two. You still have a flop, turn and river card as in Holdem. Remember that you must use any 2 of the 4 hole cards in conjunction with the cards on the board to make your best 5 card poker hand.

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