It’s easy to see why so many people love this poker variation. It’s filled with action and allows strategic players to show off their pre-planned move, but is also relatively simple for total poker newbies to get to grips with. Regardless of whether you’re a complete beginner or just want to give a new variation of poker a go, Compare.bet has picked out the best poker sites offering this exciting poker game. Let’s take a look at the key aspects of Omaha poker before you get started.
Just like other poker games, Omaha— also known as Omaha hold’em— uses a standard 52-card deck. As ‘hold’em’ style of poker, it uses community cards that can be used by all the players. In this variation, five community cards are drawn and each player receives four cards of their own. Players must make a full five hand choosing two of their own cards and three community cards.
How to play Omaha
Like all poker games, Omaha poker is played in rounds. Here’s a quick run through of how a game might unfold:
- Blinds are placed
First of all, the blinds- otherwise known as forced bets— are placed. The player to the left of the dealer places a bet equal to the game’s minimum bet, the small blind, and the next places a bet double that size- the big blind. - Cards are dealt
All players are each dealt four cards, though cards are dealt one at a time. These cards are all dealt face down. - Players bet
The player to the left of the big blind bets first, choosing one of three options: fold- throws away their cards and waits for the next deal; call- matches the big blind amount; or raise- places a bet at least double the big blind. This continues clockwise around the table until all players have chosen their action. The amount of a call will always depend on the last bet made. - The flop is dealt
There will be a total of five community cards laid on the table in Omaha poker. The first three community cards are called the flop. The dealer will discard the top card on the deck, face down, and will deal the next three cards face up. - Betting continues
The player to the left of the dealer chooses their action and betting continues around the table before the next community card is drawn up alongside the flop. This process continues until the fifth community card, the river, is dealt and players make their final bets. - Enter the showdown
When all community cards have been drawn and betting is over, all remaining live players will enter the showdown. The player with the best poker hand — made using two of their own and three community cards— wins the pot.
Omaha Poker Hands
Wonder what makes your poker hand better than your opponent’s? Let’s take a look at Omaha hand rankings.
Royal Flush
Cards from ten to an ace in the same suit. The specific suit doesn’t matter, as all card suits are deemed equal in poker.
Straight Flush
Any straight with all five cards of the same suit.
Four of a Kind
Any four cards of the same rank.
Full House
Any three cards of the same rank with any two cards of the same rank
Flush
Any five cards of the same suit, though these cards don’t need to be consecutive.
Straight
Any five consecutive cards, regardless of their suit. The ace can count as either a high or low card.
Three of a Kind
Any three cards of the same rank.
Two-pair
Any two cards of the same rank together with another two cards of the same rank.
One pair
Any two cards of the same rank.
High-cards
Any hand that doesn’t make up the above mentioned hands.
If two players are holding the same high hand, the player with the highest card value wins the pot.
Omaha Hi-Lo
Omaha Hi-Lo is another variation of this popular poker game, and is sometimes called Omaha/8 or Omaha eight-or-better. Unlike a standard Omaha game, where the pot is awarded to the player with the highest value hand, Omaha Hi-Lo sees the pot split between the best high value hand and the best low value hand. The low value hand must have five cards with a rank of eight or lower- the lower the highest card’s value, the better- and no pairs.
Compare and bet!
Now that we’ve covered the basics of Omaha poker, you’re probably ready to give it a go for yourself. Not sure where to start? Whether you’re in search of a poker site with plenty of poker variations, or an online casino that also offers roulette and blackjack, we’ve got the site for you. Check out our list of top UK poker sites to compare games and welcome bonuses, pick out your favourite and start playing!
