Omaha Hold'em

Omaha Hold’em is a new and very similar to Texas Hold’em game with only few differences. The first difference is that each player receives four hole cards dealt face down and five community cards are dealt face up in the center of the table. The goal is to have the highest ranking five-card hand with a combination of two of the hole cards and three of the community cards.

From 2 to 10 players could seat at an Omaha Hold’em table. As with other Poker games, each player takes a turn to be the dealer. The dealer position rotates to the left and is identified with a plastic disc, also known as a “button”.

Before the deal of the cards, each player has to make a compulsory bet. Omaha Hold’em could be played either with antes, or with blind bets, whereas Texas Hold’em is played only with blind bets. In the first case, each player has to put in the pot a predetermined amount, called an ante, so he would be allowed to the play. If it is played with blind bets, the first player to the left of the dealer has to make a small blind, which is usually half of the minimum bet, and the next player makes a big blind, which is equal to the minimum bet. The blinds are afterwards counted as a part of the bet for the first two players.

First betting round

The dealer gives each player four hole cards and the first betting round commences with the player to the left of the big blind. Players can call, raise of fold and the round must end with the players having equal bets on the table.

The Flop

After the first betting round is over, three community cards, or “the flop” are dealt to the center of the table. As players examine the cards, the new betting round can commence. The player that hasn’t folded to the left of the dealer opens the betting round, followed by the others until all bet are equal.

The Turn

The fourth community card (the turn) is dealt followed by another regular betting round.

The River

“The river” is the fifth community card, followed by the last betting round.

The Showdown

As soon as all cards are dealt and bets are on the table, the players that haven’t folded can now reveal their hands in the “showdown”. Each player forms his best hand using only two of his hole cards in a combination with three of the community cards. The player with the best hand wins the pot.