Like Texas Hold ‘em Poker, Omaha Hold ‘em Poker is a community poker game. However, Omaha Hold ‘em rules are slightly different from Texas Hold ‘em Poker.

One notable thing about Omaha Hold ‘em Poker, is that in casinos, dealers never actually play the game, even though it all starts with the dealer shuffling the standard 52-card deck.

Following that, the first and second players to the left of the dealer will make blind bets before the cards are dealt. These players put up the minimum bet, which is predetermined. This is called “posting the blinds” and it ensures there is something to play for in every hand.

Following the first blind bets, players are given four cards, face down. These are called their hole cards.

A standard poker betting round then begins. As with other variations of poker, players can choose to raise, call or fold in the betting round. In the betting round, the player to the left of the players that posted the blinds is the first to go.

Once the first betting round is finished, the dealer discards the top card to prevent cheating, then puts three cards in the middle of the table, face up. These are called community cards, which can be used by any player. Following the distribution of the first three community cards, another betting round takes place. This time, the player directly to the left of the dealer starts the betting round.

Following the previous betting round, the dealer will once again discard the top card before putting the fourth community card onto the table. Another betting round then begins.

The fifth and final community card is then handed out, after the top card is discarded once more.

At this point, players choose three community cards as well as two of their hole cards to form a five-card poker hand. The final round of bets are then placed.

Players then show their hands, starting with the last one who raised the last. The winner is the player who has the best hand.

Jan 09 2012