Omaha Hi Poker - Basic Introduction

In most card rooms around the world, Omaha Hi Poker, also referred to as Omaha 8 or better. It is thought to be one of the fastest growing poker games in the world, especially in the online environment. Omaha Hi is a "split pot" game and players like playing it because it is fast and offers tons of non stop action. Omaha High Poker is similar to of holdem, the main differences being:

• Each contestant receives 4 face-down cards to start.
• At the showdown each contestant must use 2 of their 4 own cards and combine them with exactly 3 community cards.

Each player is dealt their own 4 cards face-down, these are referred to as pocket cards. When the 1st betting round takes place, the dealer shows 3 community cards, known as the flop. The flop is always dealt face up. In the 2nd round of betting, the dealer turns over 1 more community card, this is referred to as The Turn. In the 3rd betting round the dealer turns over 1 final community card, this card is called the river and is the last and final betting round called the Showdown.

In order to play, players need to buy-in a minimum amount of chips when sitting down at their chosen game. The least amount is usually equal to 10 times the lower limit of the game. For example on a $1/$2 table the minimum buy-in is $10, on a $40/$50 table the minimum buy-in is $400. as with all forms of poker, there is a button referred to as the dealer button. This indicates where the cards need to be dealt from. Before the deal takes place, the two players to the left of the button (seats 2 and 3) put down live bets called the small and big blinds (also called Antes). It is called a blind because players must pay this amount before seeing their cards. The first player to the dealer's left (position number 2) is the small blind and must put in half the lower limit. Position 3 is the big blind and must put in the full value of the lower limit.

As in Holdem, the deal moves clockwise around the table beginning with the player to the left of the big blind. Each player is dealt 4 cards faced down, these are called the pocket cards. When Playing Omaha hi Poker, the betting starts with the player to the left of the blind bets and going forward in a clockwise direction around the table. The players call by matching the big blind or can also raise by putting in the amount equal to the previous players bet. In this round checking is not allowed. If the player doesn't want to Call, they may fold. The big blind has the opportunity of last action and may check or raise the bet.

Moving onto the flop. 3 community cards are dealt up in the middle of the table. All 3 cards are community cards and can be used by all the players at the table to make up their highest possible winning hand. Another betting turn occurs starting with the player to the left of the dealer button. This betting round begins with the blinds, or the first seat on the dealer's left. Checking is allowed now and for the rest of the current being played. Players may check, bet, raise or fold in this round.

Moving onto the Turn. After the turn, an additional community card is dealt face up, this card is referred to as the turn. Betting starts with the blinds and bets and raises are at the high limit of the game. The fifth and final card called The River is dealt face up and a final round round of betting occures, again at the high limit.

The last round, referred to as the showdown. The Showdown in Omaha hi Poker differs from Texas Hold'Em. Players still in the game will then show their cards, with the best 5 card hand winning. This 5 card hand must be made up from 2 of their 4 pocket cards and 3 of the 5 community cards. Therefore, if a player is dealt 4 kings down, only 2 of the kings count toward the final hand. The subsequent 3 cards remaining must come from the community cards ont he table. The player with the highest 5-card poker hand takes the pot. Should multiple hands tie, the pot is split with any odd amount going to the player directly to the left of the dealer.