Omaha Poker - Basics

Omaha poker is similar to Holdem in many ways - mostly the card dealing and betting structure with the use of a three-card flop on the board, a fourth boardcard, and then a fifth boardcard. Remember that at the start of the game in Omaha poker every player is dealt four holecards instead of two as it is in Texas Holdem. The rules of this poker variation indicate that in order to make a hand, a player must use exactly two holecards with three boardcards. Omaha poker rules also dictate that in order to receive the poet at the showdown, the winner must show the entire four-card hand. As you may guess, the best possible five card poker hand consisting of two hole cards and three community cards wins the pot. The basic consequence of betting rounds and the main rules of Texas Holdem apply fully to Omaha poker with one exception - you cannot play the board.

Omaha Poker - Betting Rounds

If you want to be sure what the betting rounds in Omaha poker are, then read ahead. At the Preflop in Omaha poker four cards are dealt to every player face down, starting with the small blind. Then it is time for the Flop when the Dealer lays out the first three community cards in the center of the table (the board). The Turn is the next stage in Omaha poker game when a fourth card is dealt face up. The final round starts when the River appears on the table - this is the fifth and final community card. After each dealing of cards in Omaha poker a betting round follows and at Showdown all remaining players use their best combinations to try and win the pot.

Omaha Poker - The Stakes

The stakes in Omaha poker are tied directly to the game type you select - fixed limit, pot limit or no limit. When you enter a fixed limit Omaha poker game, the stakes dictate the bet and raise amount for each round. That means in a $5/$10 game, you will be able to bet a certain maximum of money - in the first two rounds of betting, both the bet and the raise must be $5 while in the last two rounds you have a bet/raise amount of $10.

Omaha Poker - Position

In Omaha poker position is not as important as it is in Texas Holdem but it definitely something you must take into consideration and factor in each and every hand. When you are in late position, you have the chance to see the entire action unfold before you commit a single chip. Remember that this is the most favorable position you can ask for - it simply gives you many more options and you get to know whether you should call, raise, or fold, especially when you have good but not great hands. A great disadvantage in Omaha poker is when you must act first - you might have a good hand but not a great one, and not knowing what the players are going to do behind you is not helping you at all. It is a good idea to call and see another card in the hope to improve your hand, but it may turn out that later you are faced with a big raise by a player in late position.