Omaha is similar to Texas Hold'em — same community card structure, same betting rounds — but each player receives four hole cards instead of two. The critical difference: players must use exactly two of their four hole cards and exactly three of the five community cards to make their hand.
This rule fundamentally changes hand reading and makes Omaha a game of bigger hands and bigger swings. Omaha Hi-Lo (8-or-Better) splits the pot between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand. For the full game database entry, visit Poker Game Database.
The Golden Rule: You must use exactly two hole cards and exactly three community cards. Unlike Hold'em, you cannot play the board, and you cannot use one or three hole cards.
Watch a Sample Hand
See four hole cards dealt to each player and watch the "must use exactly two" rule in action at showdown.
POT: $40
YOU (Hero)
WINNER!
Player 2
Player 3
Ready to Deal
Press Next Step to begin dealing the sample hand.
Step 0 of 9
Number of Players
2–10 players. Most commonly played with 6–9.
The Deal
Each player receives four hole cards. Five community cards are dealt in the same stages as Hold'em: Flop (3), Turn (1), River (1).
The Hand Formation Rule
A player's best hand must consist of exactly two hole cards + exactly three community cards. No exceptions.
Example: Board shows A♠ A♥ A♦ K♠ K♣ (three Aces + two Kings). In Hold'em you'd have five Aces and Kings — a huge boat. In Omaha, you must use two of your hole cards. If your hole cards are 2♣ 3♦ 7♠ 8♥, your best hand is A♠ A♥ + A♦ K♠ K♣ using two community Aces as part of your five — wait, that's only 3 community cards used. You still need exactly two hole cards. Your hand is 2♣ 3♦ (2 hole) + A♠ A♥ A♦ — that gives you five Aces in seven cards, but you can only use three community cards. Best is: 2-3 hole + A A A community = A-A-A-3-2 (three Aces). Your opponent holding A♦ 4♣ (two hole) + K♠ K♣ A♠ (three community) = full house Aces full of Kings. Full house beats three of a kind. The board's apparent strength can be deceptive in Omaha.
Betting Rounds
Pre-Flop: After receiving four hole cards.
Flop: After three community cards.
Turn: After fourth community card.
River: After fifth community card.
Omaha Hi-Lo (8-or-Better)
The most common Omaha variant splits the pot between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand:
A qualifying low hand must have five unpaired cards, each 8 or lower. Aces count as low.
If no player qualifies for low, the best high hand wins the entire pot ("scoops").
A player may use different two-card combinations from their hole cards for high and low.
The best possible low is A-2-3-4-5 (the wheel) — which may also be the best straight for high.
Strategy Tips
Starting hand value is very different from Hold'em. Connected, double-suited four-card hands have the most potential.
Nut draws are critical. Drawing to second-best hands (not the nuts) is expensive in Omaha.
In Hi-Lo, hands that can scoop (win both high and low) are the most valuable.
The "must use two hole cards" rule changes how you read the board. A flush on the board does not mean everyone has a flush.
For Omaha Hi-Lo strategy, PLO poker training, and hundreds of Omaha variants, visit Poker Game Database.
