PokerWorks

The game of Omaha is a game very similar to Texas Holdem. The Omaha Poker blinds and limits and play of the game, are identical to Holdem. There is one major exception as to how the cards are used and played in the hand.

• Each player is dealt 4 cards down, beginning with the small blind. The first round of betting forces a player to 1) fold, 2) call the amount of the big blind, 3) or raise. A raise has to be the size of the bet, unless the raising player is going all-in. When the action returns to the blinds, the blinds have the option of calling/checking or raising the bet.

• In Omaha Poker after the betting round is complete, three cards are placed face up on the table - the 'flop' - all at once, and the first player in front of the button begins the action. Each player, (in turn), has the option of checking if the bet is checked to them, calling, raising, or folding, if they are facing a bet. If a player checks and there is a bet to them, the player has the option of 'check raising' when the action returns to them.

• After the 'flop' betting action is complete, a 4th card is turned face up on the table, (commonly called 4th Street or the Turn), and the betting action commences again - if there is a bet, the big bet is mandatory at this stage of the hand, (in $10 - $20 limit, the Flop bet limit is $10 and raise $10, on the Turn the bet limit is $20 and raise $20).

• After the Turn betting action is complete, a 5th card is turned face up on the table, (commonly called 5th Street or the River), and the betting action commences again with the big bet limit.

Each player MUST use two cards from their hand and three from the board. If a player has one spade in their hand and four spades are on the table, the player does not have a flush. Two spades would be required in the player's hand.

Omaha 8 or better

The order of betting, blinds, and play of the game is the same as Omaha Poker. Omaha 8 or better or ‘Omaha hi/lo' as it's commonly referred to is a high/low game, in which the low hand must qualify with an EIGHT or under for low. If there is no low in the hand, the high hand wins the whole pot.

In order for a low to be possible, there must be three cards that are eight or under on the table. It is possible for a player to win both the high and low. Example: A-2 hearts, A-5 spades are in player's hand. Board shows K-3-4 hearts, 2-10 off suit. Player has an Ace high flush and A-2-3-4-5 for low, (wheel).
Any two cards may be used for the high hand and any two for the low hand.