Rules of Omaha Hold 'em Poker

Omaha Hold 'em Poker is one of the most exciting variants of poker. Similar to Texas Hold ’em, but with an interesting twist, the Omaha version offers more combinations and strategies which makes each game unique and full of action. 

Aim of the game

The aim of the game is to create the best five-card hand and make bets that accumulate the highest number of chips possible. The bets are added together in a pot, which is won by the player with the best hand. Alternatively, a player can win if all the other players decide to pull out of the game.

Deck of cards

A French 52-card deck is used.

Number of players

Two to ten players are seated at the gaming table.

Distribution of cards

Each player gets two hidden cards, known as “hole cards”, which only he can see. Five cards are then placed face up on the table (community cards) during various betting phases. In Omaha Hold 'em, each player must combine three of the community cards with two of his hole cards to form the best hand.

Different versions of Omaha Hold ‘em

• Pot Limit Omaha: This is the most common format. The raise must be at least equal to the previous bet or raise in the same round. Also, the maximum that can be raised is the pot total, which is calculated by adding the chips already on the table plus the amount the player needs to match before making his raise.
• No Limit Omaha: The raise must be at least equal to the previous bet or raise in the same round. As for the maximum raise, it is possible to bet the entire stack (all the chips on the table). In No Limit Omaha, there is no limit to the number of raises allowed.

Betting structures

At the gaming table, there is always a "small blind" and a "big blind", which are mandatory bets that must be made before the cards are dealt. A button signals the position of the dealer and rotates clockwise after each hand. The player to the left of him posts the small blind, while the next player posts the double, which corresponds to the big blind.

During the following betting phases, players can choose to check, call, raise or fold.

Pre-flop

After receiving their hole cards, each player has the option to call the big blind or raise. The action begins with the player to the left of the big blind and moves clockwise around the table until each player has either folded, bet all their chips or matched the amount bet by the others.

Flop

Once the first round of betting ends, the flop is revealed. This consists of three community cards which are available to all the active players. The action starts with the player to the left of the button and proceeds with another round of betting.

Turn

After the round of flop bets, the fourth community card, known as the turn, is revealed. The action starts with the first player to the left of the button. In this round, bets are doubled from the small blind to the big blind; for example, in a game with blinds of 2/4, bets are placed in increments of 4.

River

When the turn betting round is over, the river is revealed, which is the fifth and final community card in a game of Omaha. The last betting round starts with the first active player to the left of the button.

Showdown

If one player bets and all other players fold, then the remaining player takes the pot and is not obliged to show his hole cards. However, if two or more players remain after the last betting round, a showdown occurs. The first player to show his cards will be the one who made the last bet or raise. If there were no bets in the final round, the player to the left of the button will be the first to show his cards. The player with the best five-card combination wins the jackpot, and if several players have the same hand, the amount is divided equally between them.

Order of the cards

The value of the cards, from highest to lowest, is as follows:

A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2

Value of hands

The hands are described below in ascending order of value:

• High card -->Simple value of the card. Lowest: 2 – Highest: Ace
• One pair -->Two cards with the same value
• Two pairs -->Two times two cards with the same value
• Three of a kind -->Three cards with the same value
• Straight -->Sequence of 5 cards of increasing value (the Ace may precede the 2 or follow the King, but not both), not of the same suit
• Flush -->Five cards of the same suit, not in sequential order
• Full house -->Combination of three of a kind or a pair
• Four of a kind -->Four cards of the same value
• Straight flush -->Straight of the same suit
• Royal flush -->The highest straight of the same suit

The table is ready! Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy Omaha Hold ‘em Poker with your friends.