Omaha Hi Poker

Omaha Hi Poker is not as popular as Texas Hold'em but Omaha is a very exciting variation on the game. The betting, community card structure and the hand ranking are exactly the same, but you have 4 pocket cards instead of 2 which creates a greater opportunity for getting a good hand. Here are two main differences Omaha Hi Poker:

1. The player is dealt 4 pocket cards instead of just two.

2. Of the 4 pocket cards you must use 2 and only 2 to make the best 5 card hand.

Blinds

The game begins by the two people directly to the left of the dealer posting the small and big blinds. The player immediately to the left of the dealer posts the small blind and the player to the left of the small blind posts the big blind. This guarantees that at the end of every pot some money is won. The dealer button moves at the end of each hand therefore evenly distributing who posts the "blinds".

Pocket Cards

After the blinds have been posted then each player is dealt 4 cards, known as the pocket cards. These cards are only seen by you until the end of the hand.

1st Betting Round

The person to the left of the Big Blind begins the round of betting and it continues clockwise around the table. Every player has the option to Fold, Call or Raise.

The Flop

Three cards are now dealt face up to the middle of the table. These are the first round of community cards or "The Flop". These cards are for all players to use to make their best possible hand.

2nd Betting Round

This is done in the exact same format as the first round of betting.

The Turn

After the betting the 4th community card is put down on the table and this is called The Turn.

3rd Betting Round

Played out exactly like the 1st and 2nd betting rounds.

The River

The fifth and final community card is laid down on the table; this is known as The River.

4th Betting Round

This is the final betting round and it is done like all previously betting rounds.

Showdown

After the final betting round it is time to show your cards and determine the winner. In Omaha Hi the last person to have placed a bet or raise must be the first to reveal their cards. If no bets were placed in the last round, meaning the round was a check through then the person sitting clockwise to the dealer button is the first to reveal their cards. The best five cards from the pocket and community cards determine the winner of the pot. You must use 2 of your pocket cards to make the best 5 card hand in Omaha Hi.

For definitions on terms please visit the glossary.