What is Omaha Poker?

Omaha Poker is a shared card game with blinds and a dealer button. Players must use the exposed cards on the table to form the best possible hand (5 cards). In the game, all players play 4 cards each time, and the goal is to combine the two hole cards and 3 of the five common cards to form the best possible hand. Omaha Poker also has the characteristics of being easy to learn but difficult to master.

Types of Omaha games

There are different types of Omaha poker, with the two most popular types being Pot Limit Omaha and Omaha Joy. Variations of Omaha Poker include:

Omaha Hi: In this version, the highest five cards win the pot. The pot limit betting structure means that going all-in preflop is out of the question.

Omaha Hi-Lo: Hi-lo Omaha is a variant where the payout is split between the highest and lowest hands. The best hand is when the same player holds both the highest and lowest hand, thus winning the pot. At showdown, the player with the best high hand takes half of the pot, and the player with the best low hand takes the other half. But in order to qualify as a low card, a player must have five unmatched cards ranked 8 or below.

Omaha Rules

Omaha Poker is the second most popular poker variety after Texas Hold'em and is best played between two and ten players. The rules are as follows:

One player is the dealer, and the small blind and big blind are located to the left of the button. Wagering action proceeds in a clockwise direction around the table.

Both the small blind and the big blind will force a bet to put money into the pot before the cards are dealt. Each player is then dealt four cards (holes), face down.

Once the hole cards are dealt, the first round begins with the player sitting to the left of the big blind. When forming the best hand, players must choose two of the four hole cards; in Omaha, no more, no less, and exactly two hole cards must be used.

Each time a community card is revealed, there is a round of betting. Players must choose whether to bet, raise, or fold each round. This starts with the flop, where one card is burned and three community cards are dealt face up.
The second round of betting is followed by the turn, which burns another card and reveals the fourth community card. Another round of betting follows.
After the river, another card is burned and the fifth and final community card is revealed. The final round of betting ensues.

Finally comes the showdown. Using their best five-card combination of hole cards and community cards, the remaining players reveal their hands. The first bettor or last raiser must reveal their cards first.

Can I play Omaha poker in Philippine casinos?

As for whether Omaha poker games are available for players to participate in casinos in the Philippines, it depends on the specific casino.

Some large casinos in the Philippines also offer Omaha Poker, but not all casinos, such as the largest casino in Manila, have this casino game.

If you are interested in trying Omaha poker, before entering a casino elsewhere in the Philippines, it is best to check their game selection or contact the casino directly to inquire. Typically, casinos will indicate the types of poker games they offer on the tables in the gaming area.