Omaha Poker Rules

 

Omaha Poker is a variation of Texas Holdem played with four pocket cards instead of two. At showdown, the best five-card hand using exactly two of your pocket cards and three cards from the board wins. Unlike Texas Hold em, you may not use more than three cards from the board. This is the single most important factor to remember about Omaha Poker. To repeat, according to Omaha Poker Rules, you must use exactly two of your pocket cards and three cards from the board. No more, no less.

Omaha Poker Rules - The Open

At the beginning of each hand, each player is dealt four pocket cards. There is a small blind, a big blind, and a round of betting. The betting occurs exactly the same as in Texas Hold em.

Omaha Poker Rules - The Flop

Once the first round of betting is complete, the dealer then puts out a three card flop, just as in Hold ‘em. There is a round of betting, just like in Texas Hold em.

Omaha Poker Rules - The Turn

The dealer then puts out a fourth (or turn) card, followed by a round of betting.

Omaha Poker Rules - The River

The dealer then puts out a fifth (or river) card, followed by a round of betting.

Omaha Poker Rules - Deciding the Winner

The winner is the player who makes the best possible five card hand using exactly two cards from their hand and three cards from the board. Once again, this is very important. Unlike Hold ‘em, you cannot use just one card from your hand, nor can you play the board.

For example:

Your hand: Ah Kc Qc Jc The board: 3h 4h 5h 6h 7h

You DO NOT have an ace-high nut flush, nor can you simply play the board for a straight flush. Using two cards from your hand, your best hand is:

Ah Kc 7h 6h 5h

In other words, you should have folded.