What is Omaha Poker and how do you play it?

Omaha Poker is a very popular variation of poker that is similar to Texas Hold'em, which originated in the south of the United States of America.

The term “hold‘em” in card games refers to the way the cards are dealt. The phrase is given to all poker games where there are communal cards that all players can use to create their best possible hand.

In this article, we will be diving a little deeper into Omaha Poker including looking at Omaha poker rules and Omaha poker hand rankings as we go.

Omaha Poker Rules

In Omaha, each player is dealt four hole cards face down. The dealer, throughout the process of the round, will lay out a further five cards face up that can be used by everyone present.

However, the players can only use the cards to make a hand of five cards and two of these must be from their own four cards, with three being from the communal selection. This is a very similar format to Texas Hold'em, except players have four cards of their own at the start rather than two.

The dealer is marked by a small disk called the dealer button being placed in front of them on the table. The order of play starts to the left of the dealer, with the small blind and the big blind being placed as the initial bets. These are non-optional bets that are in the game to ensure that the game progresses with those who hold the corresponding chips rotating every round.

Then, four cards are dealt to each player, one at a time, by the dealer. These cards are kept private and held onto by each player for the duration of the round. The first round of betting happens in reaction to these hands, as players stake how good, or bad, they think their initial hands are. Play starts with the player to the left of the big blind.

To stay in the round, all players must see the minimum bet, which is equal to the size of the big blind. Prior to this, they also have the option to check or fold.

Those who think they have a particularly good chance in the Omaha poker card ranking may wish to raise the stakes, but players will initially have a chance to check if they wish to pass on a bet.

Omaha Poker “The Flop”

The Flop is the name given to the first three community cards dealt by the dealer. These are unveiled all at once and betting begins once they are all laid out.

Omaha Poker “The River”

The River is the name given to the fourth community card laid out by the dealer. Once again, a round of betting will take place in response to this card with players weighing up their chances.

Once again, if players do not wish to wager any more money or more so, match the betting of the round, they have the option to fold.

Omaha Poker “The Turn”

The final card dealt is another community card, known as The Turn. This final card seals the fate of all the player's potential hand ranks and so, a final round of betting takes place to see who wants to see out the round and have the chance to take the full stake.

If all but one player folds in Omaha Poker Rules, the remaining player does not have to reveal their hand.

Omaha Poker Hand Rankings

Those familiar with poker card games will know the ranking system in Omaha poker. As the Omaha poker hand rankings show below, the Royal Flush is the top hand and the humble high card is the lowest.

Ready to play Omaha Poker

Now you have learned the history of the game, the rules and how to play Omaha poker, you are ready to go and give it your best shot. There are plenty of options for Omaha poker out there in online casinos, including right here at Guts.

Want to try a different poker variation? Check our Texas Hold’em hands guide.