How to Play Omaha poker | Omaha Poker Rules

Omaha poker is a recent variation of the game, having originated sometime in the 1980s. A cousin to traditional Texas Holdem, players are dealt four hole cards, as opposed to two, and are required to make a hand from two of their four hole cards and three of the five community cards. Because of the additional two cards each player is dealt, Omaha is probably the fastest variation of poker.

Players make the ‘nuts’ (the best possible hand for any given arrangement of cards) much more often than they do in other variations of the game, and as such it’s a fast-paced thrill ride all the way to the end!This Omaha poker for beginners’ guide will teach you how to play Omaha with the best of them – we’ll take you through the rules, tips, and strategies of the game, providing you with a full understanding of Omaha poker before you sit down to play!

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Pot Limit Omaha

There are several different rules for betting in Omaha poker, but the most popular is PLO, or pot limit Omaha. PLO essentially means that players can bet whatever is in the pot, as well as their call.
No Limit and Fixed Limit Omaha variations do exist, but they aren’t nearly as popular as pot limit. Pot limit tends to encourage larger bets, and it’s relatively common for players to go all in, so you’ll need to keep your wits about you as you hit the flop!

Omaha Hi Lo

There are numerous variations of Omaha poker. Omaha High is essentially the same as Texas Holdem, except with four hole cards, but Omaha Hi Lo, also known as Omaha 8-or-better, is increasingly popular amongst poker aficionados. It’s also the version of the game which is most distinct from Texas Holdem.

In Omaha Hi Lo, the pot is split between the best low hand and the best high hand. If players have the same high or low hand, they’ll split their proportion of the pot, meaning that they receive a quarter of the overall pot. The unpredictability that Omaha Hi Lo brings to the table makes it one of the most fun-filled variations of poker for beginners and pros alike.

Omaha Poker Rules

Now, let’s explore how to play Omaha. Poker hand rankings are the same as they are for Texas Holdem, while the pre-flop, flop, turn, and river stages are exactly the same as they are in other variations of the game: