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Learn To Play Omaha
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Synopsis:
Omaha is a community card game where each player receives 4 of his own cards and then shares another 5 cards that are common to all the players. Players must make the best possible 5-card poker hand
using any 2 of their 4 cards and any 3 of the 5 community cards. A player must use exactly 2 of his own cards. A player must also use exactly 3 of the community cards. There are four betting rounds.
Game
Play:
One
player represents the dealer. This position is called the "button" and
this rotates clockwise at the conclusion of each hand so that every player has the chance to be the dealer.
The two players to the immediate left of the dealer are the "small
blind" (the seat next to the dealer) and the "big blind" (two
seats to the left of the dealer) respectively. They are required to ante a set number of chips (usually the small blind must ante half of what the big blind antes, and the big blind antes the same amount as the value of the smallest allowable bet in that specific game) before any cards
are dealt, and this money forms the pot at this stage.
Each player is then dealt four cards face down that only they can see. These are known
as "hole cards". The first betting round then begins. The first
player to act is the one seated immediately to the left of the "big
blind". He must make the
initial betting decision based on his hole cards. Betting continues clockwise.
Players may "fold" their cards by "mucking them" and take no
further part in that particular hand. If a player wishes to remain in the hand
he must bet at least what the previous player has bet, known as a
"call". This minimum amount is initially represented by the size of
the "big blind's" ante, but if that amount is increased, known as
"a raise", then that amount becomes the minimum that other players
must match to remain in the hand.
When
the first betting round is finished three cards are dealt face-up. These are
shared by all the players and the first three cards are known as "the
flop in Omaha.
The
second round of betting begins with the first remaining player seated to the
left of the button. The betting resumes, clockwise.
When
the second round of betting is complete a fourth card is dealt face-up. This
card is called the "turn" or "4th street".
The
third round of betting begins with the first remaining player seated to the left
of the button. The betting resumes, clockwise. In Limit Omaha games the size
of the bets double from this round of betting onwards.
When
the third round of betting is complete a fifth card is dealt face-up. This card
is called the "river" or "5th street".
The
fourth and final round of betting begins with the first remaining player seated
to the left of the button. The betting resumes, clockwise. If at any point a bet
is not called by any other player at the table then the player making that bet
wins the hand. He does not even have to show his hand. If the final bet made is called, or there
is no betting (players are said to "check down") the best live hand
wins the pot.
Hand
ranking in Omaha:
1. Straight flush: 5 consecutive cards all of the same suit. The highest straight
flush is Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten all of the same suit, and this hand is popularly referred to as a "Royal
Flush".
2. Four of a kind: 4 identical cards. The highest four of a kind four Aces with a King as the fifth card.
3. Full house: 3 identical cards + another pair of identical cards. The highest
full house is three Aces and two Kings.
4. Flush: 5 cards all of the same suit. A flush that contains the Ace of that suit is
the highest flush.
5. Straight: 5 consecutive cards. The best straight hand is Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten.
6. Three of a kind: 3 identical cards. The highest three of a kind is Three Aces with a King and a Queen as the two "kickers".
7. Two pair: The highest two pair hand is Aces and Kings with a Queen as the fifth card.
8. One pair: The highest one pair hand is a pair of Aces with a King, Queen, and a Jack.
9. No pair: The highest no-pair hand is Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Nine.
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