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Poker Rules | Omaha Poker

Like Texas Hold'em, Omaha poker follows a community card format. That is, players receive hole cards, but must create a hand using cards that are turned over in three segments (the flop, the turn, and the river).

Unlike Hold'em, Omaha players receive four hole cards. They can use only two of these cards in combination with the community cards to make a five-card hand.

The game begins with a blind and a small blind. To make sure something happens each deal, the casino uses a "dealer button." At the beginning of the game, the dealer gives each player a card face up. The highest card becomes the faux dealer. The person next to the dealer becomes what is known as the "little blind." He must put one small bet ($1) in front of him. The next person becomes the "big blind." He must put twice the amount in front of her ($2). This happens before any cards come out of the dealer's hands.

Once the "dealer" has been determined and the blinds are on the table, the dealer gives every player four cards, one at a time. (For example, let's say you are dealt these cards: ace of clubs, king of diamonds, two of hearts, and seven of spades.)

Each player looks at his or her individual cards and the first person (after the big blind) must call the big blind, raise, or fold. Action then continues around the table until it returns to the small blind. That player can either call the current bet amount, raise, or fold (forfeiting the small blind bet). The big blind can call any raises, raise, rap pat if there have been no raises to him, or fold.

After all betting action has been completed, the dealer "flops" (turns face up) three cards. All players can now make a five-card hand ­ and they must use two cards from their hand. Betting action begins again with the player to the left of the button.

After the second round of betting the dealer "turns" a fourth card, which is followed by another betting round.

Finally, there's a "river card" turned face up by the dealer and a final round of betting.

Okay, let's look at those four cards we dealt you at the beginning of this article: ace of clubs, king of diamonds, two of hearts, and seven of spades. (In general, this is not a very good starting hand. You would want to have double suited cards to begin with ­ an ace and deuce of the same suit; the king and seven of another suit. Also, a high pair and two junk cards are not nearly as good as a high pair and two suited cards, or two cards to a straight.)

On the flop you see king of spades, two of diamonds, ace of spades and jack of clubs. At this point, you're very best hand consists of two pair -- aces and kings. However, you have a nice spade flush working -- or do you? With but one spade in your hand, what are you going to use as your second card? (remember, you must use two cards from your hole cards.)

In 7-Card Stud, the first and foremost rule is to temporarily memorize the third card (upcard) of every other player to see if its presence will help or harm your hand. In Hold'em, the first and foremost rule is to evaluate your starting hand with relation to your position at the table to take advantage of raises and bluffing action.

In Omaha, the first and foremost rule is to look for four cards that are closely related to each other -- king (spades) -- queen (diamonds) -- jack (spades) -- 10 (diamonds), for example, where every card works with another, with many possible outcomes.

As with Hold'em, position (where you're seated with regard to the betting action) is extremely important. This is especially important to file away in your memory bank because so few people really understand how to play their first four cards and tend to play to the flop regardless of how good or bad the hand.

The real value of position in Omaha, however, comes from the inherent value of top hands. Since many people will stay for the flop, if you have a good hand in good position, you will earn more money when you get the pot.

You'll also want to study the psychology of your opponents and watch for tells (the way a player acts or reacts to any given situation). Because money comes and goes quickly (and pots can get enormous) in Omaha, you can learn a lot abolut your opponents by watching how individual players react when they lose a pot they've invested heavily in.

Do they toss their cards away in anger? Do they verbally express their disgust? Also watch how they play the next hand. Do they jump in without hesitation or do they automatically fold? (Jumping in could mean they're still angry about the loss and they're reacting out of emotion rather than good sense. You'll want to take advantage of this.) Knowing your Omaha opponents is almost as important as knowing the strength of your first four cards.

You can practice Omaha easily by dealing four cards down (and immediately evaluating it) and three cards up and then evaluating your hand in relation to the upcards. As you do this, try to figure out what hands might beat anything you have and how many kinds of those hands their are.

For example, if you have ace-king of clubs and seven-eight of hearts, you have a half-way decent hand in that each group relates to each other (their suited and have drawing potential. Now, if the flop comes queen, queen, king, where do you stand? (At the end of the line, probably). If the flop comes ace, seven, nine, where do you stand? (In better shape than previously.)

One important resource for gaining expertise on the game is Bob Ciaffone's book, Omaha Hold'em Poker. Brief and right to the point, it will clarify and unravel all of your questions.

It's important to practice, practice, practice, either with friends, relatives, or with software, because Omaha is quite deceptive. Bankroll fluctuation is greater than it is in Hold'em and much greater than it is in Seven-Card Stud, so you'll want to be well armed, no matter what limit you choose to play.

As with other variations of poker, don't play when you're tired, angry, intoxicated, or nearly broke. You'll want to be in top form to get the best of others who are in top form, and to dominate those who are not.

Omaha High-Low Poker

Before you venture into Omaha High-Low, it's imperative that you understand the rules of Omaha High only.

The major difference in the game rules is that in Omaha High, the high hand wins. In high-low, either a high hand or a low hand (or both) can win. In fact, more than half the pots in Omaha High-Low are split between high winner and low winner. Often, more than two winners turn up at the end, and a single player can win both high and low.

The best high hand is, of course, a royal flush while the best low hand is a "wheel," ace-two-three-four-five.

The game is played with an "eight qualifier," meaning that eight is the highest card you can have in your five-card hand to qualify for the low end of the pot.

Sound confusing? Well think of it this way. You are actually playing two separate games with the same community cards. From your four hole cards, you are playing for a high hand, a low hand, and both a high and low hand.

Suppose, for example, you receive these cards: ace of clubs, king of clubs, two of diamonds, five of diamonds. At this point, you have an ace-king high and an ace-two low. If a three-four-and five hit the flop, you have a low hand and a high hand and could win the entire pot. Most Omaha players, by the way, will correctly start out going for a low hand.

Hardly an Omaha High-Low player hasn't made mistakes, so don't be embarrassed if you do. Just learn from them, don't repeat them and you'll be well on your way to success.