Omaha Poker Rules

Betting Structure

According to Omaha Poker Rules, there are four betting rounds in a complete game - exactly the same as in Texas Holdem.

Each bet on the first two rounds of betting is set at the lower limit of the stakes structure. For example in a $5/$10 game, all bets and raises are $5 for the first two rounds (after private cards are dealt and once the flop is spread in center of table).

The last two rounds of betting (turn card and river) are set at the higher limit of the stakes structure. For example in a $5/$10 game, all bets and raises are $10 for the last two rounds.

One bet plus three raises (four total bets) are the maximum amount of bets allowed per betting round. This would consist of (1) a bet, (2) a raise, (3) a re-raise, and (4) a cap. The term "cap" is used to describe the 3rd raise in a round, since betting is then capped and cannot be raised anymore. Once any player has made the third raise ("capped the pot"), then players will have only the option of calling or folding.

Check-raising is allowed in all online poker games and in most live card rooms.

Dealer Button

To designate which player is the theoretical dealer in Omaha as in most other poker games, a round disk is used. This disk is called the dealer button or simply "the button".

After each hand is completed, the button moves clockwise to the next active player and this player will be considered to be the dealer, and will act last on each betting round. This is also termed "playing the button" for that game.

Blinds

The player to the left of the button is first to receive a card and is required to post a small blind. The small blind is equal to half the lower limit bet rounded down to the nearest dollar. The player to the left of the small blind is required to post the big blind. The big blind is equal to the lower limit bet. These bets are referred to as "blinds" because players must post them before the dealer deals any cards to the players. They are forced bets. The blinds start the pot in the same way as antes do in other games.

Omaha Rules specify that both the small and the big blinds are considered live bets (very unlike antes). The blinds have the option of checking, calling, raising or folding when the betting action comes back around to their position. After the flop and after each subsequent betting round, the first active player left of the button is first to act.

When a player first sits down to play in a seat that is not the big blind, he or she will be required to post the equivalent of the big blind. This keeps people from trying to time their entrance in the game so as to miss being the big blind and to enjoy late position, perhaps even leaving before the blind comes around to them. The other option is to "sit out" until their turn arrives to post the big blind.

When players show their hands, they MUST use exactly: two of their private cards plus three of the five board cards.