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Omaha: Learning How to Play
Omaha is a poker game similar to Texas Hold’em but also different. Just as in Hold'em, it is a community card game with players sharing the cards on the board. The difference in Omaha though is that each player is dealt 4 hole or down cards and must use exactly 2 cards from hole cards and 3 from the board to make a five card poker hand.
- The two players to the left of the dealer put up their blinds which are known as the small and big blind. The player that is directly to the dealer's left puts out the small blind while the player to the left of the small blind puts out the big blind.
- Every player at the table is dealt four cards that are face down. These cards are referred to as hole or pocket cards.
- The action begins with the player to the left of the big blind. This player can either call the bet, raise, or fold and the betting will then continue around the table in a clockwise manner.
- After the first round of betting is completed, three cards are dealt face up in the center of the table, which is known as the board. These first three cards in Omaha are called the flop. These cards are “community cards” that everyone at the table will use along with their own hole cards to make the best possible hand.
- From the flop to the end of the hand the betting begins with the player to the dealer’s left who can check or bet.
- A fourth card is dealt face up onto the board which is called fourth street or the turn card.
- Another round of betting then occurs.
- The final card is dealt face up which is called fifth street or the river.
- A final round of betting occurs and the remaining players show their cards. To make their final five card hand, players must use two of their four hole cards and three of the cards on the board. Players can use any two cards from the hole and any three cards from the board but it must be exactly 2 from the hole cards and 3 from the board to make the best five card hand.
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