Omaha poker is quickly becoming one of the most popular online poker variants, second only to Texas hold’em poker. You’ll probably have played the latter version online or in casinos, or at poker nights with your buddies. However, Omaha is also a game worth getting into. It’s easy to pick up (especially if you know how to play hold’em), and there’s tons of action throughout the game. If you are considering switching from hold ’em to Omaha or at least giving the latter a try, there are a few things you should know first.
This blog post takes a look at the subtle differences between Omaha and Texas hold’em and provides a quick guide on how to play Omaha for beginners.
What is Omaha Poker?
Before discussing how to play this popular poker variant, it’s useful to understand a bit about where it comes from and why people play it. Omaha offers players some of the best poker action, and it can be pretty challenging to boot, which is great for strategic thinkers and anyone with a passion for cards.
There is a belief that Omaha poker came from Omaha, Nebraska, via a player who introduced it in Las Vegas. But a more commonly known credit is given to longtime poker enthusiast Robert Turner, who introduced the game to Las Vegas players and staff at the Golden Nugget Casino. Bill Boyd took a particular interest in the game, originally dubbed it “Nugget Hold’em,” and gave it more publicity at that casino. It eventually became Omaha Hold’em and spread to other Las Vegas casinos, though it didn’t reach the masses around the world until online poker expanded its reach.
Just as with the umbrella of poker games, there are a few variants of Omaha as well, the most popular being pot-limit Omaha (PLO). Another Omaha variant that you’ll be able to find at most online casinos is Omaha hi-lo, also called Omaha high-low, Omaha h/l, Omaha hi-lo 8-or-better, or Omaha-8. There are also five-card Omaha, six-card Omaha, Courchevel, and Big O.
Part of this game’s immense success is its rules. The basic Omaha rules are the same as the basic Texas hold’em rules, so if you know how to play one, you’ll be well-equipped to play the other.
Each hand is composed of five different phases, as shown below.
Preflop
This is the first betting round and marks the start of the game. In the preflop round, certain players, designated as the blinds, are obligated to place a bet, while others have the option to call, fold, or raise.
The Flop
Transitioning to the second stage, after the initial bets are made, the dealer introduces the first three community cards onto the table, face up, and this is the flop or third street. The players who are still in the hand will then need to decide on their next move in the second round of betting.
The Turn
Advancing to the next stage, an additional community card is placed on the table face up, which is the turn card or fourth street. Players who choose to stay in the game will then need to adjust their strategies based on the new card in this third round of betting.
The River
This is the final round, where the last of the five community cards is dealt, also face up, as the river or fifth street. The players still in the game will then make their final decisions on how to play the hand and complete the last round of betting.
The Showdown
If two or more players are still in the hand, at least one of them will display a winning hand. Others may turn up their cards in a showdown, and the player with the best hand takes the pot. If there is a tie, the dealer splits the pot.
Differences Between Omaha and Texas Hold’em
Most live and online poker tournaments are played in the Texas hold’em style. Consequently, it’s important to know that there are some differences between hold’em and Omaha if you’re making the switch.
Hole Cards
In Texas hold’em, each player is given two hole cards before the flop, whereas Omaha players are each given four hole cards, which means it’s a little easier to make big hands in Omaha.
This game’s rules,however, dictate that each player must use two – and only two – of their hole cards with three community cards to form their final hand. By contrast, in hold’em you can use one, both, or even none of your hole cards.
Betting Structure
While you can use any betting structure for either game, the most popular versions are usually what you’ll find when you play poker online for money. Hold’em usually operates with a no-limit structure, while Omaha typically uses the pot-limit structure. This means that the most a player can bet at any one time is the amount that is currently in the pot.
How to Play Omaha Poker
Now that you know the difference between the two, it’s time to learn the basics of playing Omaha poker online.
What is the Objective of Omaha?
Each player in Omaha poker receives nine cards in the form of four hole cards (which only they can see) and five shared community cards. The aim of the game is to create the highest-ranking five-card poker hand to win the pot after all the betting rounds are complete.
The catch is that players have to use two of their four hole cards together with three of the five community cards to create their final hand. This is by far the most common mistake that new players make. They think that they have formed an excellent hand when they’ve used more or fewer than two hole cards, but then, that hand no longer counts.
Dealer Button and Blinds
Just like in Texas hold’em poker, there’s a dealer button in Omaha that dictates the order of play (which always moves clockwise around the table). At the end of each hand, the dealer button will move one position left to the next player.
Two bets are always made at the start of each hand:
The small blind is the forced bet that the player immediately to the left of the dealer must place before any cards are dealt. It’s usually a small, nominal bet with a value equal to the lowest of table stakes. For example, in a $2/$4 cash game, the small blind is $2.
The big blind is placed by the player to the left of the small blind, two seats left of the dealer. Before any cards are dealt, the player posts the big blind, which is usually double the small blind. So, for example, in the same $2/$4 cash game, the big blind is $4.
First Betting Round
Once the dealer button is and the two blind bets are posted, each player is dealt their four face-down hole cards. Then, the first betting round starts with the player to the left of the big blind.
At this point, each player can choose one of the following options when the action is on them:
Bet: Players can choose to place their first chips into a round of betting. The big blind is officially the first bet, and bets in the first round must be equal to or greater than that amount.
Call: Players can match the last bet placed in the betting round.
Raise: A player can increase the previous betting amount by at least double. Other players need to call on this amount to remain in the hand.
Fold: When facing a call or raise, a player can exit the round by folding and lose any chips they may have already committed in the pot.
All-In: The all-in move is more common in no-limit games, and a player can bet all of their chips by moving them toward the pot or simply announcing “all-in.”. A player can do this in a pot-limit game only if the amount is less than or equal to the value of the pot.
Final Notes of Play
Once betting reaches the small blind or big blind players during preflop action, the small blind can call the big blind or any previous raise, and the big blind can check or call any raise. Either of them can also fold to a raise or counter with a reraise.
In subsequent rounds of betting, all players can check if there is no raise in front of them. This is a pass on betting, though any other player can then bet, which forces the checked player to call, reraise, or fold.
Subsequent Betting Rounds
As noted in the above “What is Omaha?” section, the second, third, and fourth rounds of betting follow the flop, turn, and river cards. Those are face-up cards in the center of the table to be used by any or all players if they choose. Players in the hand can check, call, bet, or raise as play allows, and it can progress all the way to a final showdown after the river. The best five-card hand that includes two hole cards and three community cards wins the hand and the pot.
Play Omaha Poker with Borgata Online
Borgata Online has a wide range of poker variants (not just Omaha and Texas hold’em) for you to enjoy, with formats including table games, live dealer games, video poker online, and more. Whether you want to relax and play independently or take part in exciting weekly poker tournaments, you’ll find exactly what you need. You can also play a wide variety of online casino games, from online slots to roulette and blackjack.
Register with Borgata Online to put your poker strategy to the test and play your favorite types of poker.