More hole cards makes Omaha an exciting variant of Hold’em poker. Forget Texas: Omaha is the new King!
Omaha is an exciting variant of Texas Hold’em poker, where you are dealt four hole cards instead of the standard two. Don’t think you can play the same way; with Omaha, you can only use two of your hole cards to make a hand. Make sure you play the right hands, because with Omaha, it takes the nuts to win.
Features
-More cards and less hand options change the game significantly
-Quick, 6-handed Omaha Action
-Ring games, buy in and cash out any time
-Tournaments, a poker freezeout with big payouts
-World Series mode, a super-tournament with millions to be won
-Post high scores on the global leaderboards at Magmic.com
No Limit Omaha is played with a standard 52-card deck without wild cards. Players use 2 of the 4 cards dealt to them (their 'hole cards') and 3 of a set of shared community cards to make the best 5-card poker hand. A Dealer button is used to signify which player will virtually deal the cards. The first player to the left of the dealer pays a small blind into the 'pot' (the potential winnings for each hand); the second player to the left pays a big blind, which is typically double the small blind.
Pre Flop: After posting blinds each player is dealt their 4 hole cards. The order of action moves clockwise around the table, starting with the player to the left of the big blind. Players have the option to call the minimum amount to continue play (beginning with the big blind amount), to raise the bet, or to fold
The Flop: The flop consists of three community cards, used by everyone to compose their 5-card poker hand. Another round of betting then begins, starting with the player to the left of the dealer. Players have the option to bet, 'check' the decision to the next player, or fold to a bet.
The Turn: The turn is another community card. Another betting round is completed after the turn is shown, just like after the flop.
The River: The river is the fifth and final community card. Players must use 2 of their hole cards and 3 community cards to make the best 5-card poker hand.
The Showdown: After a final round of betting the hands are compared and a winner of the pot is determined. If two or more players have an equal hand, the pot is divided evenly amongst them. Hands do not always have to end in a showdown. Players can win the pot during a betting round by getting all other opponents to fold.
Side Pots: A side pot is made if a player calls a bet that is greater than the total amount of his chips. This side pot contains the maximum amount of chips the player can receive if they win the hand; the amount is determined by their chip count multiplied by the number of players also calling the bet. This player is 'all-in' and can no longer participate in any remaining betting rounds.
Hand Strengths (from weakest to strongest):
10) High Card: Single high card counting down from the Ace. High card ties are settled by counting the next-highest card, called the 'kicker'. The kicker is also used to settle ties for pairs, two pairs, three of a kind, and four of a kind.
9) Pair: 2 cards of the same value.
8) Two Pair: 2 pairs of cards of the same value.
7) Three of a kind: 3 cards of the same value.
6) Straight: 5 sequential cards. The Ace participates in the lowest straight (A, 2, 3, 4, 5), and the highest straight (10, J, Q, K, A). Straights are ranked in value by the highest card within the straight; a straight to the 10 is beaten by a straight to the Jack.
5) Flush: 5 cards of the same suit. Flushes are ranked in value by the highest card within the flush; a flush to the Ace is better than a flush to the King.
4) Full House: Three of a kind in addition to a pair. Full houses are ranked in value by the highest three of a kind. If there are two hands with the same three of a kind, then the winner is determined by the highest pair.
3) Four of a Kind: 4 cards of the same value.
2) Straight Flush: Any 5 sequential cards of the same suit.
1) Royal Flush: This is the highest possible straight flush. A royal flush requires a sequential order of 10, J, Q, K, A in the same suit.
