A General Introduction to Omaha Hold'em Poker

The popularity of poker has probably been due to the variant that is Texas Hold'em. What you will see in casinos and on TV is most probably the Texas Hold'em variant. However, many other poker variants are as equally exciting and enjoyable as the aforementioned game. One of these is Omaha Hold'em poker.

Omaha Hold'em poker is a community-card game, much like Texas Hold'em is. In fact, it is pretty much like Texas Hold'em in the case of betting structure and the dealing of the board cards. The only difference is that in Omaha Hold'em, players are dealt four hole cards as opposed to the two cards of Texas Hold'em. Thus, Omaha Hold'em offers a new way of experiencing community-card poker.

Play starts with players being dealt four face-down cards to serve as their hand, in turn. The player to the left of the dealer button acts first. Players act in a clockwise manner, or as stated by the house rules.

Three face-up cards are then dealt in the middle of the table, called as the 'flop.' A second betting round proceeds. If more than one player remains in hand after the second betting round, a fourth upcard is dealt in the middle of the table. This is called the 'turn.'

After the turn, another betting round occurs. If there is still more than one active player, a fifth face-up card will hit the table. This is called the 'river.' A fourth and final betting round takes place. If there is still more than one active player, a showdown ensues.

In the showdown, players make the best poker hand using only two of the four cards in their hand, combined with no more and no less than three of the board cards.

This aspect of Omaha Hold'em makes it far more complicated than other poker variants, as several possibilities of hands could be created. One could literally hold a hand that could be a flush and a straight, depending on which cards one would use. As with any other poker variant, the one with the best hand will emerge as the winner.

Even though the betting procedure of Omaha Hold'em is similar to that of Texas Hold'em, the experience and strategy is different. This is primarily because of the limitations regarding how many cards could be used to build a hand. This aspect of Omaha Hold'em makes the game a complex one, and thus offers a rich and new experience to both old and new poker players.