Omaha Poker is a popular poker game loved by betting enthusiasts. This game is extremely popular and widespread globally. Let’s explore the Omaha Poker rules and basic regulations with 7GAME.
What is Omaha Poker?
Omaha Poker, also known as Omaha Hold’em, is a popular form of poker similar to Texas Hold’em, but with significant differences, especially in the way cards are dealt. Below is a detailed guide to Omaha Poker rules, focusing on the Pot-Limit (PLO) Omaha version, the most popular version:
The goal in Omaha is to create the best 5-card hand by combining the two hole cards and three community cards to win the pot (the total amount of money bet in the game).
Learn Omaha Poker Rules
The Deck
Like Hold’em, Omaha Poker uses a standard 52-card deck. There are four suits: hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs. Each suit has 13 cards, from 2 to A.
Dealer Position
In each hand, there is always a person who takes on the role of Dealer, indicated by a small round button. Normally, this person will shuffle the cards, but in poker, this is not mandatory. The Dealer’s position also determines who makes the blind bet and who acts first in each betting round.
Omaha Poker Rules and Basic Regulations (100% Easy to Understand)
Hand Ranking
Hands in Omaha are ranked like Texas Hold’em, from highest to lowest:
- Royal Flush: 10, J, Q, K, A of the same suit (e.g., 10♥, J♥, Q♥, K♥, A♥).
- Straight Flush: 5 consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., 6♠, 7♠, 8♠, 9♠, 10♠).
Four of a Kind: 4 cards of the same rank (e.g., 7♥, 7♠, 7♣, 7♦).
Full House: 3 cards of the same rank + 2 cards of the same rank (e.g., 8♠, 8♥, 8♣, 3♦, 3♠).
Flush: 5 cards of the same suit (e.g., 2♥, 5♥, 9♥, Queen♥, King♥). - Straight: 5 consecutive cards of different suits (e.g., 5♣, 6♦, 7♠, 8♥, 9♣).
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank (e.g., J♠, J♥, J♣).
- Two Pair: Two pairs (e.g., Q♠, Q♥, 4♣, 4♦).
- One Pair: One pair (e.g., 10♠, 10♥).
- High Card: Nothing, compare the highest card (e.g., A♠ is the highest card).
Community Cards
A total of 5 community cards are dealt to the table over 4 betting rounds (3 cards on the Flop, 1 card on the Turn, and 1 card on the River).
Actions
In each betting round, you have the following options: Call, Call, Bet, Raise, or Fold.
Distinguishing Features from Texas Hold’em
4 private cards: Create more opportunities for combinations, leading to stronger hands (more frequent flushes and straights).
You must use exactly two face cards: You cannot use all four face cards or just one, like in Texas Hold’em.
Stronger Hands: Because there are more face cards, hands like top pair or two pair are usually weaker in Omaha. You need a strong hand like a set, straight, or flush to be confident.
Larger Pots: Due to the many draws and strong hands, bets in PLO are usually larger, especially in the pot-limit.
Basic How to Play Omaha Poker
Below is a complete breakdown of Omaha Poker to help you understand.
Blinds: The two players to the left of the dealer place their blinds according to the rules. The first player to the left of the dealer places the small blind, and the next player places the big blind. For example, in a $1/$2 Omaha game, the small blind is $1, and the big blind is $2.
Dealing Cards: Each player is dealt four hole cards; no one can see the other players’ hole cards. The betting round begins.
First Betting Round – Before Revealing Cards: The player to the left of the big blind acts first, with the option to fold, call, or raise. Players then act in turn clockwise. The betting round only ends when all players fold, and the bets from those who did not fold are equal.
Second betting round – Flop: The first three community cards are revealed in the middle of the table. A new betting round begins with the first player remaining at the table. This player can either call or bet. Subsequent players act in a clockwise direction, similar to the previous round.
Third betting round – Open: The fourth team card is revealed. The remaining players begin a new betting round with the same rules. The turn still starts with the first player on the left, i.e., the Banker.
Fourth betting round – River: The fifth and final community card is revealed. The remaining players enter the final betting round according to the same rules. The first player remaining at the table acts first.
Showdown: If two or more players remain after four betting rounds, the cards are revealed to determine the winner. The player with the highest five cards wins. In case of a tie, the winnings are divided equally among the winners.
Starting a new game: After the winnings are awarded, a new Omaha hand is played. The Dealer button is then passed to the next player clockwise.
Important notes when participating
Higher pairs are undervalued: In Omaha, higher pairs (e.g., A♠K♠ on a K♥7♣2♦ flop) are generally weaker as they can be beaten by straights, flushes, or flushes.
Money management: PLO has a larger spread due to the higher stakes, so it requires a larger budget than Texas Hold’em.
Understand the rules: Many beginners make the mistake of trying to use 3-4 different cards, leading to errors.
Practice reading: Because there are 4 cards, practice is needed to identify the strongest combinations.
