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Omaha Poker Rules: Overview
It is widely reported that the game of Omaha is 'rapidly' growing in popularity as an alternative to the predominant game of Texas Hold 'em. The use of the adjective 'rapidly' is probably over-egging the pudding somewhat, because it remains the case that unless a player signs up to one of the bigger, better established poker rooms, he / she will invariably find it difficult to find a game at the table-limits of their choice. In light of this, exponents of Omaha would be well advised to sign up at the likes of PokerStars, where games are usually plentiful at most levels.
Players familiar with Texas Holdem should find Omaha a relatively simple game to get to grips with: after all, Omaha is a flop game too - the only difference is that in Omaha players are dealt four instead of two pocket cards face down. Players must use two of their four cards in combination with three of the community cards to create the best five-card hand.
Fixed Limit: In a Fixed Limit game, both the bet and raise amounts for each round are a preset amount. For example, in a $5/$10 Fixed game, both the bets and raises for the first two rounds of betting must be $5, no more, no less. The last two rounds have a bet/raise amount of $10.
Pot Limit: In a Pot Limit Game, the maximum bet/raise can't be more than the current pot amount. So, if the pot is $30, you can't bet more than $30. One thing to note: If you are raising on a player's bet, your call is already included in the pot. So, for example, let's say the pot is $100. Player X opens the betting with $100. Your maximum bet is now $300 (Pot = Initial $100 + Player X's $100 + your $100)
No Limit: The final game type is No Limit. The name says it all: There are no maximum bet limits. You can bet as much as you like during any round of betting. The minimum bet is the big-blind amount. No-Limit Hold'em makes for big pots, fast action and great watching. Now that you've chosen a game type, it's time to talk about the other key betting concepts: the Stakes, the Blinds and the Cap.
The Stakes: The stakes are tied directly to the game type you select. For a Fixed Limit game, the stakes dictate the bet and raise amount for each round. Let's use our $5/$10 stakes example again. In the first two rounds of betting, both the bet and the raise must be $5, no more, no less. The last 2 rounds have a bet/raise amount of $10.
The Cap: In Fixed Limit games, each round of betting can consist of one bet and has a maximum number of three allowable raises, known as the cap. So, if a bet is made, that bet can only be raised three times, after which all players must call or fold. However, if only two players remain in the hand, the cap is increased to a maximum of five raises.
In both Pot Limit and No Limit, the stakes represent the amounts posted as the blinds.
The Blinds: The blinds are mandatory bets posted by two players at the start of each hand, prior to the cards being dealt. The player directly to the left of the dealer posts the small blind, which in a Fixed Limit game is half the small stake, rounded down to the nearest dollar. In Pot Limit and No Limit games, the small blind is equal to the small stake. The player to the left of the small-blind player posts the big blind, which in a Fixed Limit game is equal to the small stake. In Pot Limit and No Limit games, the big blind is equal to the big stake.
In poker, each player in turn plays as the dealer. At the table we represent the dealer position with: the Dealer Button: The Button is a graphic symbol that represents the theoretical dealer. After each hand, the button moves clockwise to the next active player, who becomes the dealer for that hand. This player is considered to be 'on the button', and is the last person to act in the betting round. The first player to the left of the button is the first player to be dealt cards, the first player to act in each betting round and the player that posts the small blind.
Pre Flop: The dealer deals each player 4 cards face down. Only the player can see his/her hole cards. After the deal, the next player after the big blind decides whether to call, raise or fold the big blind. Each player in turn is given these options, until all bets are called and the big blind checks. Don't forget, in a fixed limit game, any raises are limited to the lower stake amount, and in a pot limit game, the bet can't exceed the pot amount.
The Flop: Now the dealer turns over the first three community cards, called 'the flop'. All betting rounds start with the player directly to the dealer's left. For Fixed Limit games, this round of betting still uses the lower stake, using our example $5/$10 game, any bets or raises must be $5. The Pot Limit and No Limit rules don't change.
The Turn (AKA Fourth Street): The fourth community card is dealt and a new betting round begins. The bet amount for Fixed Limit games increases to the upper stake. Betting continues until all bets are called.
The River: The fifth and final community card is dealt and a new betting round begins. Once all the bets have been called, it's time to show the cards. The last player to bet or raise during the final round of betting will show his/her hand first. If all players checked through (nobody bet), the player to the left of the dealer will show first. The remaining players' hands will be automatically revealed moving clockwise, unless a hand is weaker than the winning hand shown. In this case, you'll have the option to show, or muck (fold without showing) your cards. The best five card hand takes the pot. Remember, a winning Omaha hand must use 2 hole cards and 3 of the community cards to make the hand.
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