| Omaha Game Rules (Omaha
Hi) |
| Omaha is played with a standard 52-card deck, with as many as
10 participants. It is a version of Texas Hold’Em, and if you’re
familiar with the rules of Texas Hold’em, it won’t take
you long to pick-up the rules of Omaha. The main differences are
that in Omaha each player receives 4 face-down cards at the start,
and at the showdown players must use 2 of their own 4 cards, combined
with 3 board cards to make-up their final hand. |
| In Brief |
1. Four cards are dealt face-down to each player (called pocket
cards).
2. 1st round of betting.
3. At this point the dealer may burn a card, to prevent stacking.
He then turns three community cards face-up (the flop).
4. 2nd round of betting.
5. The dealer may burn a second card. He then turns over another
community card (the turn, 4th street).
6. 3rd round of betting.
7. The dealer may burn yet another card and then turns over 1 final
community card (the river, 5th street).
8. Last round of betting.
9. Every remaining player shows hand with better showing first (the
showdown). |
| The best possible five card poker hand, using only two hole cards
and three of the community cards, wins the pot. |
| The Buy-In |
| When sitting at the table, players normally must buy-in a minimum
amount of chips - usually equal to ten times the lower bet limit
of the game. For example: at a $2/$4 table the minimum buy-in is
$20; at a $20/$40 table the minimum buy-in is $200. |
| The Dealer Button |
| A dealer ‘button’ is used to indicate the position
of the dealer. The player holding the button acts last, thus having
a positional advantage that remains throughout the hand. After each
hand is completed the dealer button moves (clockwise) to the next
player on the left, indicating the new dealer position. The button
also determines the order of betting. |
| The Blinds |
| Before any cards are dealt, the two players to the left of the
dealer and the button must each post a blind bets - a compulsory
live bet made to kick-start the betting and seed the pot with cash
to ensure that al winning hands pick-up some money. As the button
moves around the table, everyone takes their turn playing the blinds.
No one is exempt from the blind and there are various rules governing
players joining and leaving the table. |
| Typically: when you first take a seat at an active table you will
be required to post the equivalent of the big-blind. This can be
down by waiting until you are in a position to post it. Or, another
way would be to post it out of position. If you choose to post it
out of the big-blind position, you will also be required to post
the blind when you are in position if you are to stay in the game. |
| If you missed the regular rotation of the blinds, you’d have
to post the big-blind if you wanted to re-enter the game. If you
sat out and missed three big-blinds, you’d be picked up from
the table and would forfeit your seat. |
| The Small-Blind & The Big-Blind |
| The player immediately to the left of the dealer button must post
what is called the ‘small-blind’, which is equal to half
of the minimum bet (e.g. $1 for a $2-4 game). |
| The next player (sitting to the left of the small blind) must post
the ‘big-blind’, which is equal to the amount of the
minimum bet (e.g. $2 for a $2-4 game). |
| The blind bets are called live, because they count as real money
bets and are part of the first betting round. When the betting comes
round to them, the players who posted the blinds have the options
of folding, checking, calling, or raising. |
| Pocket Cards |
| Once the blinds have been posted, the first round of cards is dealt
clockwise. Each player is dealt four cards face down. These cards
are called the ‘pocket’ cards. Each player can see their
own pocket cards, then the first round of betting takes place. |
| Betting |
| Betting begins with the pre-flop round when the player to the left
of the blind bets (remember the small and big blinds have already
made their bet) and continues clockwise around the table. |
| Players call by matching the big blind, or raising by kicking in
the big limit. Checking is not permitted in this round. Players not
wishing to Call, may fold. The big blind has the advantage of last
action and may check, or raise the bet. |
| In limit Omaha, the lower limit is used for the first 2 rounds
of betting and the higher limit for the second 2 rounds. For example,
at a £5/£10 table, bets are £5 in the first two
rounds and £10 in the last two. |
| The bet amount can climb a maximum of 3 times in each round of
betting. In other words, there can be one bet and three raises in
each round until the River card is dealt when there will be no limit
to the amount of raises possible. |
| If at any point during the hand, a player makes a bet that all
others decline to call, the hand is over immediately, and the player
who made the final wager takes the pot, without the need to show
their cards. |
| The Flop |
| After the first round of betting, three cards are dealt face up
in the middle of the table. These cards are called the Flop. All
three cards are community cards and can be used by all the players
at the table to make up their best possible hand in conjunction with
two of their pocket cards. |
After the flop, there is a second round of betting, which begins
with
the player closest to the left of the button, who is still in the
hand. |
| The Turn |
| Next, after everyone has placed their bets, a fourth community
card is dealt face up in the middle of the table next to the flop
cards. This card is called the Turn Card and can also be used by
all players. The Turn is followed by a third round of betting. |
| The River |
| After the Turn round, the fifth and last card, which is called
the River is dealt face up next to the other four community cards
and a final round of betting takes place. |
| The Showdown |
| At the end if the final round, when all betting is completed, players
still in the hand show their cards. |
| The first person to reveal their cards is the last person to show
strength with a bet or raise. (Here, Omaha differs from Texas Hold’em).
A combination of just 2 (out of the four) pocket cards and three
of the five community cards are used to make the best five-card poker
hand. The winning poker hand is awarded the pot. |
| Should multiple hands tie, the pot is split with any odd amount
going to the player immediately to the left of the dealer. |
| A point to remember: being a 9 card game, (Texas Hold’em
is 7) and thus with more cards for the players to choose from, Omaha
generally produces stronger cards at the showdown. |
| Start Again |
| After a hand is completed and the pot has been taken by the winner,
the dealer button moves one player to the left (just like Texas Hold'em)
and a new hand begins. Thus every player gets to benefit from the
advantage of being last to act once per round. As with Hold'em, position
brings a significant advantage, with the player on the button being
in the best position. |
