How to Play Omaha Hi Poker – Complete 8-Step Guide

Table positions in Omaha Poker are the same as in Texas Hold'em. Most Omaha Hi games use a pot-limit betting structure, with two forced bets: the Small Blind and the Big Blind. The player in the Under-the-Gun (UTG) position acts first pre-flop, and—as in Hold'em—position affects how each betting round unfolds.

Tip: Having 4, 5, or 6 hole cards does not mean players enter more pots. Omaha formats often require careful hand selection because final hands tend to be stronger compared to Hold'em.

Omaha Hi 4/5/6 hand ranking follows the same structure as Texas Hold'em, with a Royal Flush being the highest possible hand. Players must use exactly 2 of their 4, 5, or 6 starting cards together with any 3 community cards to form a valid hand. Because players begin with more hole cards, winning hands tend to be stronger and it’s common to see Straights, Flushes, and Full Houses at showdown.

Tip: Even if your starting hand contains three cards of the same suit, only two can be used to complete a flush in Omaha formats.

Pre-flop, the player to the direct left of the Big Blind acts first. They can fold, call, or raise up to the size of the current pot. In PLO, the minimum bet is equal to the Big Blind, and the maximum bet is the total amount in the pot at that moment. Action moves clockwise until every player has had the opportunity to act. If there is no prior raise, the Big Blind may check.

Tip: As in Hold'em, a $1/$2 PLO table uses a $1 Small Blind and a $2 Big Blind.

After the pre-flop betting round ends, the first three community cards — the Flop — are dealt. These cards can be used by all active players to form the best possible 5-card hand. The first active player to the left of the dealer begins the second betting round, and action continues clockwise until all players have acted.

Tip: Since a large portion of your final hand is often determined on the flop, choose carefully which hands you continue with.

After the flop, the 4th community card — known as the Turn — is dealt. Just like the flop, this card can be used by all active players to build the best possible hand. The remaining players again have the option to check, bet, call (if there is a bet), raise, or fold.

Tip: Always draw to the best possible straights or flushes. Lower-strength draws are often dominated and can easily be beaten on the river by stronger hands.

The River is the fifth and final community card, and it completes the board for all players. As with previous streets, the remaining players now have the option to check, bet, call (if there is a bet), raise, or fold — depending on the action.

Newbie Trivia: Omaha High is believed to have originated in the Chicago or Detroit poker scenes in the late 1960s before eventually reaching Las Vegas in the early 1980s.

The Showdown takes place after the fourth betting round, provided more than one player is still in the hand. Each remaining player must use exactly 2 of their 4/5/6 hole cards and 3 community cards to form the highest-ranking 5-card hand. The best hand wins the pot — simple as that.

Newbie Tip: You cannot make a flush with only one suited card. You must use exactly 2 of your hole cards and 3 cards from the board.

Read our ultimate guide to the poker showdown.

The dealer is ready to start a new hand — are you? This is your chance to apply everything you've learned and take on the next round of Omaha Hi poker. Get ready to bet, call, raise, and chase your next big Omaha Hi draw.

Ready to take the next step? Learn the game — then put your skills to the test at the Omaha tables on 888poker.