Tue, 04/05/2011 – 02:17 – PokerPages Staff

Omaha is a poker game played in tournaments.  Gaining a thorough understanding of the rules and learning when to bet will improve a beginner poker player’s ability to follow tournament play, and will help to develop the personal skills necessary to become a better poker player. 

The  rules of Omaha are similar to the rules of Texas Hold’em.  The dealer needs to be determined first.  Like Texas Hold’em, the two players to the left of the dealer place the blinds before any cards are dealt; first the small blind then the large blind.  Internet play requires a means of identifying the dealer; most sites utilize the dealer button.

Play begins as the dealer gives each player four cards face down, one card at a time.  In Texas Hold’em, you are dealt two and both must be used, in Omaha you are dealt four and only two are used to make the best five-card hand.  With the hole cards dealt, the first betting round proceeds.  Now the first three community cards are placed on the table.

A second poker betting round then proceeds.  Once betting is complete; the fourth community card is laid on the table.  The third betting round will then proceed and when complete the final community card is placed on the table.  Play now proceeds with a last betting round, which leads to the showdown. 

By showing their hole cards, players determine the best hand possible.  Omaha rules state that only two hole cards are combined with community cards to make the best hand.  The winner of the pot is determined by the best five card hand.

Visit PokerSchoolOnline a great internet source for poker related lessons and poker information.  Afterwards, try out your new skills by using free play at PokerStars.net.