While Texas Holdem may be the most popular game worldwide, Omaha is a close second. In fact, Pot-Limit Omaha is more popular in Europe than NL Holdem. Omaha poker has two distinct differences from Texas Holdem. This first is that each player receives four hole cards as opposed to two in Holdem. Also, the player must use two cards in their hand and three cards from the community cards to make their five card hand. Now that you know the primary differences, let’s go over the basic rules of the game.
Just like in Holdem, the dealer position is determined with a dealer button. Also, just like Holdem, the two players to the left of the dealer button must post forced bets before cards are dealt. These are blinds. The first player to the left of the dealer posts the small blind, which is half the amount of the second forced bet, or big blind. For example, in a $2-$4 PL Omaha game, the small blind is $2 and the big blind is $4.
After blinds are posted, cards are then dealt to each player starting with the small blind and ending with the dealer button. Each player receives four down cards, also known as hole cards. A round of betting then ensues. The first player to the right of the big blind is the first to act. This player may call the big blind, raise, or fold. Action proceeds around the table until it reaches the small blind. If the pot has not been raised, the small blind may either call the big blind amount, raise, or fold. If action reaches the big blind, that player may either check or raise. This is known as a big blinds “option.”
Once pre-flop betting is concluded, the first three community cards are dealt face up in the center. This is known as the flop. Action then starts from the flop through the river with the first player to the left of the dealer button still in the hand. Regular Omaha is usually played in Pot-Limit format, meaning that the player may bet anything from the size of the big blind to the amount of money in the pot at that time.
When flop betting has concluded, the fourth community card, or turn, is dealt. Another round of betting occurs and then the final community cards, or river is dealt. One final round of betting commences and then the remaining players show their hands. Remember that when you make your hand, you must use two cards in your and only three on board. This will sometimes confuse many beginner Omaha players. For example, if you have A-K-Q-4 with all cards hearts and the board is Jh-10h-9s-3h-2d, you do not have a royal flush. Since you can only use two cards in your hand, you have to use the A-K of hearts. You still have the nut flush in this case, but a royal you do not have. The author of this article learned this lesson the hard way when he first learned the game.
A common variant of this game is known as Omaha Hi-Lo split. The game is dealt the exact same way as regular Omaha and has the same rules with one exception. In this variant, there is a possibility of a split pot if a player can make a qualifying low hand. A qualifying low hand is a five card hand with five different cards eight and under. For example, if you have A-2-K-10 and the board is 3s-4s-8c-Qd-Qh, you have an eight low to go with a pair of queens. Unless someone ties your low, you will get half of the pot in this case.
Two keys to note in this variant. First, if there are not three unique cards on the board eight or below, a low is not possible. Also, in some cases, you will have multiple players make the same low hand. When this happens, this is called getting “quartered” and you will receive half of the low pot.
Omaha Hi-Lo is primarily played in limit betting format. This means that betting limits are fixed on each street. Pre-flop and on the flop, the betting amount is in the small bet amount, which is equal to the big blind. The turn and river betting is twice the amount of the big blind. This is known as the big bet. Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo is growing in popularity due to the internet and online you will also find No-Limit versions of this game.
If you’re looking for a game with a lot of action, this game is right up your alley. Due to the number of cards out in any one hand, numerous draws are likely and this game actually rewards draw play much more than any other form of poker. This game is a good way to add to your poker arsenal and is one you definitely should consider picking up.
