Omaha Poker

Omaha has quickly taken shape as the second most popular poker game in casinos and card rooms.  Its unpredictability and intensity make it an adrenaline rush for true card players.  Omaha is like Texas Hold 'em, with a twist.  Instead of two hole cards being dealt at the beginning of the game, players receive four cards.  The catch is that a player must play two and only two of his hole cards to complete a hand. 

Sequence of Events
Blinds – Similar to Hold 'em, two players left of the dealer button both post blinds.  The big blind is equal to the maximum single bet in the first round.  The small blind is half the size of the big blind.  Learn more poker betting basics. 

Before the flop - Each player is dealt four cards face down, also called hole cards.  The player to the left of the big blind acts first, followed by clockwise rotation of players who can fold, call or raise. 

Flop - After the first of the four betting rounds, the dealer reveals three community cards, also called the Flop.  Another round of betting takes place. 

Turn - The dealer then turns over the fourth card, called the Turn.  Another round of betting. 

River - The dealer reveals the fifth and final community card, called the River.  A final round of betting takes place.  Since there isn't a dealer in online games, the dealer button is used as a replacement and rotates around the table.

With five community cards on the table, players remaining in the hand must use two hole cards and three community cards to make their hand.  The player with the highest hand wins if a showdown is necessary.  A tie results in a split pot.  Learn more about poker hand rankings. 

Showdown – When, after all betting in a hand is complete, the players expose their hands and determine a winner.