Omaha

Although Omaha is also a variation of "Hold'em" games (both Texas and Omaha combine the cards in your hand, some community cards and a four round betting structure) nobody calls this game "Omaha Hold'em" - just "Omaha".

While similar to Texas Hold'em (which most people just call "Hold'em") Omaha continues to be popular at the higher and lower limits. Every player is dealt four cards and to make their best hand, players must use exactly two of them in combination with three of the five community cards. The best five-card poker hand wins the pot.

Starting the game

The game is identical to Texas Hold'em in respect to dealer button and blinds.

Dealing the cards

In Omaha each player is dealt four hole cards (also known as "pocket" cards) instead of two in Hold'em. In order to make a hand the player must use precisely two hole cards out of the four dealt, along with exactly three cards from the board.

Betting rounds and community cards

The betting rounds and the dealing of the community cards are identical to Texas Hold'em. The 1st round of betting takes place; then
The flop or 3 community cards are dealt face up; then
The 2nd round of betting takes place; then
The fourth community card (also known as the "turn") is dealt face up; then
The 3rd round of betting takes place; then
The fifth community card (also known as the "river") is dealt face up; then
The 4th and final round of betting takes place.

The winner

At the showdown the player's entire hole cards (4 cards) are shown to receive the pot - of these, the player must use 2 cards from his hole cards and 3 cards from the board to create his hand. The player with the best five card hand is the winner of the round and wins the pot. If there are multiple winners with the same hand, the pot is split between these players.