Where to Play Omaha Poker - Omaha Poker Rules - Hand Ranking - Omaha Poker Strategy - Free Omaha Poker - Terms Basics of Omaha Poker Number of Players: 2 to 10 Omaha Poker is similar to Texas Hold’em, but there are some crucial differences. Players must create the best five-card hand combination from a total of nine cards. The nine cards are made up of four pocket cards and five community cards. This results in higher hand combinations. Further, players must use 2 cards from the pocket and 3 cards from the board (community cards) to make a hand.

(Example for $10/$20 game)

Note: Bets and raises are limited to 1 bet and 3 raises per betting round. Therefore, in the $10/$20 example, betting would be capped at a total of $40 in rounds 1 and 2, and $80 in rounds 3 and 4.

The game is started with the two players to the left of the dealer posting a Big Blind and a Small Blind, the value being determined by the stakes of the game. Then the four pocket cards are dealt to each player. The betting begins with the player to the left of the Big Blind. Because the blinds are bets, not antes, players can not check in the first betting round; they must either fold, call or raise.

After the first round is complete, three cards (the flop) are dealt face up on the table. These cards are common to all players. Betting starts with the player to the left of the dealer button and he/she may either check or bet.

For the third round, a fourth communal card (called the turn) is dealt, and another round of betting

A final communal card is dealt, called the river, and is followed by another round of betting.

Players then make the best high hands possible using two of their four pocket cards and three of the board, or cards This is important for newcomers to the game to remember: hands must consist of two pocket cards and three communal cards.