Omaha, Omaha Hold’em, Omaha High

Omaha – the second popular poker game, and in the USA it’s as widespread as Texas Hold’Em. Every player gets four cards. The main difference from Texas Hold’Em is the fact that for making combination it’s necessary to use three common cards on the table and only two yours.

Card distribution

The pack consists of 52 cards (from 2 to Ace, without Jokers). From 2 to 10 people take part in the game.

The dealer gives out cards in casino. Texas Hold'em uses a small disc called the "dealer button" to indicate the dealer of each hand. Once a hand is completed, the dealer button moves clockwise to the next player. Every player gets four blind cards (hole cards).


The player to the left of the dealer button is required to place the "small blind" (usually equal to half minimal bet) and the next player to the left is required to place the "big blind" (equal to the minimal bet). Sometimes before game starting all players have to put ante.

The First Betting Round: Pre-Flop

The round starting with the player to the left of that who made "big blind" before. The player has the option to call, raise or fold.

Next players can do the same actions. After rise players can make the bet higher (re-raise). The quantity of re-raise depends on table rules (NL, FL, PL). All players must put the same quantity of chips. Those chips are put into the pot and move to the center of the table. Chips are considered to be added to the pot immediately after the bet.

If there was not rise a player, who made big blind, can make check instead of call, in other words he can skip his own turn without raising the bet and folding cards.

The Second Betting Round: Flop

Dealer without opening put the top card to the center of the table (to another cards). He makes that for showing that the top card is not marked. Then dealer takes three top cards and put them to the center of the table and open. Those three cards are called flop. Usually they are common and all players can use them for making combination. Then the second betting round begins.

The first player to the left of the dealer button and who made small blind is the first to act. If he fold cards before the next player acts (clockwise). The player who starts the second betting round can make:

Betting Round is continuing till all players put the same quantity of chips and say “check”.

The Third Betting Round: Turn

Dealer put the top card to the center of the table (to another cards). Then dealer open one more common card and put it to the left of flop. This card is called turn. Then the third betting round begins for the same scheme as flop.

The Forth Betting Round: River

Dealer put the top card to the center of the table (to another cards). Then dealer open one more common card and put it to the left of turn. This card is called river.


Then the forth betting round begins for the same scheme as flop. After finishing betting rounds players open their cards by turns. The first player who shows his card is that who raised the bet last time. If there wasn’t raise or bet, the first player who opens cards is that who said “check” last time. The player with the weakest combination may not show his cards. He has the right to fold his cards without opening them (muck). Muck is a special place on the table for fold cards.


The player with the best combination wins and takes the pot. If players have the same hands they can divide the pot. If the pot can’t be divided into two parts, Then those player who opened cards the first takes the rest (for example, 0.01 US dollars).


The distribution is finished. Dealer moves button chips clockwise to the next player. The pack is mixed and the dealer begins to give out again.

Note:

During the game one specific situation may arise: the player does not have enough chips to play back after the previous bet. In such case the player doesn’t oblige to fold cards, he may do all-in. So the next prize is allocated in such a way: