Omaha Poker

Omaha Poker or Omaha Hold’Em, is an extremely popular online poker game, second only to Texas Hold’Em. In fact, Omaha is a variation of Texas Hold’Em poker, the only real difference being the number of Hole-Cards dealt to each player – 4 instead of 2. Also, a player MUST use exactly 2 of his Hole Cards, combined with exactly 3 of the Community Cards, to create the best possible 5-Card poker hand.

Played with a single, standard deck of 52 cards, Omaha is most commonly played as Pot Limit, though some online poker rooms also offer No Limit Omaha games. With 4 Hole Cards utilized, it isn’t uncommon to see Straights and Flushes frequently held by more than one player. Considering the frequency of Pot Limit play as well, it can become very expensive to see a hand to the end.

Omaha Poker Objective

To develop a 5-card hand ranking higher than any of your opponents, utilizing 2 Hole Cards and 3 Community Cards (no exceptions).

Omaha – Lingo and Terminology

Before we get into the actually game play of Omaha, let’s review a few terms commonly used in Omaha Poker.

Hole Cards: A player’s Hole Cards are the original 4 cards dealt to him, face down, so only the player can see them.

Community Cards: A group of 5 cards dealt face-up in the center of the table throughout the game. Each player will utilize these 5 cards, along with his own hole cards, to create the highest ranking 5-card hand.

Turn-Flop-River: The Community Cards are dealt in this fashion. The Flop is the first 3 community cards dealt, revealed all at once. The Turn is the 4th card dealt. The Flop is the 5th and final Community Card.

Dealer Button: The Dealer Button is a small white circular chip, marked ‘Dealer’, placed in front of the player who assumes the dealer position. The online poker room will automatically take care of the dealing process. The purpose of the Dealer Button is to determine the Small Blind bettor and Big Blind bettor.

Small Blind: This is a low bet placed by the player seated directly left of the Dealer Button before any cards are dealt. The amount of the Small Blind is determined by the table stakes, and is equal to half that of the Big Blind. For example, in a game of $1/$2 Omaha, the Small Blind is $1.

Big Blind: This is a bet placed by the player seated directly left of the Small Blind Bettor (2 seats left of the Dealer Button) before any cards are dealt. The amount of the Big Blind is determined by the table stakes, and is equal to twice that of the Small Blind. For example, in a game of $1/$2 Omaha, the Big Blind is $2.

Pot Limit: When playing a Pot Limit poker game, the lowest bid remains the same throughout, however, the maximum Bet/Raise is equal to the current size of the Pot. If 8 players each place a wager of $1 into the pot, equaling $8, the maximum Limit raises to $8. If in the next betting round, the first bettor wagers $8, the Pot is now $16, meaning the next player can Call the $8 wager plus Raise up to $16 more, and so on…

Check: If no previous bet has been placed, a player may Check, declining to place a bet but remaining in the hand. If a player proceeding him places a bet in the same betting round, the player who Checked must Call the bet to stay in the hand.

Checking can be accomplished by either saying the word “Check” out loud, or by tapping the poker table when your turn to bet arrives.

Call: To place a bet equal to the previous bet.

Raise: To place a bet higher than the previous bet. All other players must Call the Raise to stay in the hand. Only 3 Raises may be placed during each round of betting.

All In: To push all remaining chips into the pot. A player who pushes All In is not required to place any further bets throughout the current hand, but cannot win an amount from any opponent that is higher than his own All In bet. If the All In bettor loses the hand, he is out of chips, therefore out of the Omaha Poker game.

Fold: To throw in your cards, forfeiting the current hand and all chips placed into the pot.

Muck: To Fold without revealing your Hole Cards to the other players.

Omaha – Betting System / Game Play

To start a hand of Omaha Poker, first the Small Blind and Big Blind bets are placed. From this point, Omaha consists of 5 Betting Rounds, conducted as follows:

1st Betting Round: Each Omaha Poker player is dealt 4 Hole Cards. Beginning with the player to the left of the Big Blind bettor, then continuing clockwise, each player will either Call the Big Blind, Raise or Fold. So long as there are no Raises, the Small and Big Blinds do not have to place any additional bets, though they do have the option to Raise. Otherwise betting ends with the Dealer Button.

The Flop: 3 Community Cards will be dealt face up in the center of the table.

2nd Betting Round: The Small Blind Bettor will begin the round of betting, in usual fashion.

The Turn: A 4th Community Card is dealt onto the table face up.

3rd Betting Round: Betting commences, same as the last round.

The River: A final, 5th Community Card is dealt to the center of the table.

4th Betting Round: The 4th and final round of betting commences.

The Showdown: Assuming more than one player remains at this point, each player will reveal their Hole Cards. Using exactly 2 Hole Cards and 3 Community Cards, the highest ranking hand wins the entire pot. If a tie occurs, winning players split the pot.

Omaha – Poker Hand Ranks

  • Royal Flush (A-K-Q-J-10 suited)
  • Straight Flush
  • 4 of a Kind
  • Full House
  • Flush
  • Straight
  • 3 of a Kind
  • 2 Pair Pair
  • High Card (Ace is always highest)

Where to Play Online Omaha Poker

Just about any online poker room offers Omaha Poker. The only difference between these online poker rooms is the quality of play, the player traffic and the ability to play Omaha Poker tournaments. To aid players in the task of joining an online poker room with all of these qualities, we’ve compiled a list of the top online poker rooms providing Omaha Poker.

  • Poker Stars*
  • Party Poker*
  • Full Tilt Poker*
  • Bodog Poker
  • Hollywood Poker
  • Gnuf Online Poker
  • Pacific Poker
  • CD Poker
  • Titan Poker