OMAHA HIGH POKER RULES

Omaha High is a poker game much like Texas Hold'em, but it does have a few differences. First of all, each player is dealt 4 cards instead of 2. Secondly, omaha high players must use 2 out of their 4 cards to form their hand. A player is not allowed to use more, or fewer, cards to make a hand.

THE BUY-IN

In most games (online or real life games) you have to buy a minimum amount of chips when sitting down at a table. Called the "buy-in" (orginal, huh?), this amount is often equal to ten times the lower bet limit of the game. So on a $1/$2 table the minimum buy-in would be $10, on a $5/$10 table it would be $50, and so on.

THE GAME

Omaha High, like most poker games, uses a disc called a dealer button to indicate where the cards are to be dealt. Prior to the deal, the two players to the left of the buttoneach place a bet. The first is known as the "small" blind, and the second is known as the " big" blinds. It is called a blind because players must pay this amount before seeing their cards.

The play begins with four cards dealt facedown to each player. Action starts with a betting round beginning with the player to the left of the blind bets and continuing clockwise around the table. Players may bet, check, raise or fold in turn. The big blind has the privilege of last action and may check or raise the bet.

Three community cards called "The Flop" are then dealt up in the center of the table and another betting round takes place beginning with the player to the left of the dealer button. Another card is dealt face up (called "The Turn") followed by a round of betting.
The fifth and last card called "The River" is dealt face up and a final round of betting takes place. Players remaining in the hand will then show their cards and the winning poker hand will be awarded the pot. Players must form their best five-card poker hand from only two of their four pocket cards and any three of five community cards.