Omaha Hi Poker Rules and Starting Hands

Learn the Omaha Hi poker rules at this site by following a poker game round in the example below. We will explain how a round would proceed according to the rules of this game, from the Omaha hi starting hands to the showdown.

Omaha Hi rules is similar to Texas Holdem poker rules, barring the following two deviations:

1. Instead of two hole cards, players are dealt four hole cards in Omaha Hi.

2. Instead of freely choosing between the two hole cards and five community cards in order to create their best hand, players must use two hole cards and three community cards in Omaha Hi.

Though the differences in rules appear to be minor, the strategy for Omaha Hi is very different from that of Texas Hold’em. The Omaha Hi poker game is not as common to play at a poker room online as Hold’em, but it remains a popular version of the poker game nonetheless, and one which is considered prominent in many important tournaments. Usually you play Omaha Hi 9- or 10-handed online. Don’t miss the Omaha Hi Lo poker lecture in this online poker school.

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Omaha Hi Rules

Before the Game:

Each hand starts the play with two blinds (preliminary bets made by two players before cards are dealt to encourage action), in the same fashion as Texas Hold’em rules.

Hole Cards:

Four hole cards (also known as pocket cards) are dealt, face-down.

1st Betting Round:

The player immediately clockwise from the small blind posts the “big blind”. Now, each player receives his or her four hole cards, everybody has now got their starting hands. Betting action proceeds around the table, starting with the player immediately clockwise from the big blind.

The Flop:

As soon as betting for the first round is complete, (once everyone has had an opportunity either to fold or match the total betting) the dealer deals three cards face up in the center of the table.

2nd Betting Round:

Follow rules in round 1 above.

The Turn:

The fourth community card, known as “the turn”, is placed face up on the table.

3rd Betting Round:

Follow the rules in rounds 1 and 2 above, however, table stakes are now raised to the higher stake amount, e.g., $10 in a $5/$10 game.

The River:

The third and final community card, known as the “the river” is placed face-up on the table.

4th Betting Round:

Now we play the final betting round. Follow the rules in round 3 above.

The Showdown in Omaha Hi:

The first player to show their cards is the last one to have placed a bet or made a raise. In the event that no bets were made during the hand, the player to the right of the dealer button shows their cards first and the winner of a showdown in Omaha hi is determined according to the best five-card hand.

Start Over:

The next hand begins with the dealer button moving one seat clockwise, according to the rules of Omaha Hi.

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