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Overview
Number of Players: 2 to 10
Omaha Poker is similar to Texas
Hold’em, but there are some crucial
differences. Players must create the
best five-card hand combination from
a total of nine cards. The
nine cards are made up of four
pocket cards and five community
cards. This results in higher hand
combinations. Further, players
must use 2 cards from the pocket
and 3 cards from the board
(community cards) to make a hand.
Terminology
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Blind Bet |
This is a forced bet made
"blind", that is, before you
get your cards, to get the
action going. The player to
the dealer's left posts the
Small Blind which is half of
the lower-level bet. The
player to his left then
posts the Big Blind which is
a full bet. |
|
Pocket |
The two "hole" cards dealt
to each player, face down. |
|
Flop |
The first three communal
cards. |
|
Turn |
The fourth communal card
dealt. |
|
River |
The fifth (and final)
communal card dealt. |
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Button/Buck/Puck |
A moving disc that
determines the player in the
dealing position for each
hand. This player is the
last one to act in the hand.
The button moves from player
to player in a clockwise
direction after each hand is
dealt. |
Betting Structure (Example
for $10/$20 game)
|
Small/Big Blinds |
1st Round |
2nd Round |
3rd Round |
4th Round |
|
$5/$10 |
$10 |
$10 |
$20 |
$20 |
Note: Bets and raises are
limited to 1 bet and 3 raises per
betting round. Therefore, in the
$10/$20 example, betting would be
capped at a total of $40 in rounds 1
and 2, and $80 in rounds 3 and 4.
Starting a Game
The game is started with the two
players to the left of the dealer
posting a Big Blind and a
Small Blind, the value being
determined by the stakes of the
game. Then the four pocket cards are
dealt to each player. The betting
begins with the player to the left
of the Big Blind. Because the blinds
are bets, not antes, players can not
check in the first betting round;
they must either fold, call or
raise.
Second Round
After the first round is complete,
three cards (the flop) are
dealt face up on the table. These
cards are common to all players.
Betting starts with the player to
the left of the dealer button and
he/she may either check or bet.
Third Round
For the third round, a fourth
communal card (called the turn)
is dealt, and another round of
betting
Fourth Round
A final communal card is dealt,
called the river, and is
followed by another round of
betting.
Players then make the best high
hands possible using two of their
four pocket cards and three of the
board cards. This is important
for newcomers to the game to
remember: hands must consist
of two pocket cards and three
communal cards.
Tips
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High pairs and high suited
connectors in the pocket are the
best starting hands.
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In a game with a lot of players,
say 8 to 10, it is very common
for someone to have the best
possible hand at the showdown.
If you have a good hand, but
not the best possible hand,
be careful.
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