How to Play Omaha Poker

Omaha Poker is played with nearly the same rules as Texas Holdem. There are only two major differences between the two games:

• Each player receives four hole cards in Omaha instead of two
• Players must use exactly two of their hole cards when making their hands

Number two on that list confuses a lot of new Omaha poker players. You have to remember that in Omaha, you can’t play the board like you can in Texas Holdem. For example, if you only have one diamond in your hand and the board is showing four diamonds, you do not have a flush in Omaha. In Omaha, you must use two of your hole cards.

Other than that, the two games are almost identical. That’s the main reason most Omaha is the first poker game people learn after Texas Holdem. The game play is instantly recognizable and easy to catch on to.

The Dealer

The order of each hand in Omaha is based on the position of the dealer. In Omaha rules, it is assumed that the dealer’s position moves one seat to the left each hand. In that manner, each player will have to take turns paying the blinds and acting as the dealer.

Many Omaha games use a full time dealer so the position of the dealer doesn’t change. In that case, the players must use a dealer’s button to mark the position of the dealer. That way, the players will still all have to take turns paying the blinds.

The Blinds

The blinds are forced bets that the two players to the left of the dealer must pay at the beginning of each hand. The player to the left of the dealer pays the small blind (half a minimum bet) and the player to the left of that person pays the big blind (one minimum bet.)

Preflop

Four cards are dealt face down to each player. This is followed by a round of betting that begins with the player to the left of the big blind. Each player must either call to stay in, fold to get out or raise the current bet. Moving clockwise around the table, each player gets a chance to act.

Flop

Three community cards are dealt face up in the middle of the table. The players at the table all share these cards to make their hands. This is followed by a round of betting that begins with the first player to the left of the dealer.

Turn

One community card is dealt face up in the middle of the table. This is followed by a round of betting.

River

One community card is dealt face up in the middle of the table. This is followed by one more round of betting.

Showdown

Any player who hasn’t yet folded now reveals his hand. The player with the best five card poker hand wins the pot. Hands are made using any combination of two hole cards and three community cards.