The Quick 8-Step Guide to Learning Omaha Hi Poker

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Omaha Hi

Omaha Hi, or Pot Limit Omaha (PLO), is a game of big hands and even bigger draws. The pot limit betting structure means that crushing pre-flop all-ins are impossible – but that doesn't make it any less exciting. In fact, this is one genre that teaches newbies all about forming the different types of poker hands.

Omaha Hi typically refers to Omaha poker played with four hole cards. However, Omaha Hi can also be played with different variations that use five or six hole cards.

Each player is dealt 4-6 starting cards, making it easier to make (and chase) more draws. And, it's quite common to see three flushes shown down on the river – all in the same suit!

Learn how to play Omaha Hi with this interactive poker guide:

If you haven't tried this poker genre, 888poker has an easy 8-Step poker rules guide to show you how to play Omaha. The rules are the same for Omaha 4, 5 and 6 card versions.

Table Positions in PLO

Table positions in Omaha Poker are exactly the same as in Texas Holdem. However, the betting structure for the majority of Omaha Hi games are in a pot limit format. There are two forced bets, the Small and Big Blinds. The player Under-the-Gun is first to act pre-flop – and just as in Hold'em, position will play a big role in what sort of hands you should play.

Newbie Tip: Having 4/5/6 hole cards instead of 2 doesn't mean you should play twice as many hands as in Hold'em. Just the opposite! You need to be even pickier about the hands you choose to play.

poker hands ranking

Poker Hand Rankings

Omaha Hi 4/5/6 hand ranking is the same as in Hold'em, with a Royal Flush being the best possible hand. Players must use 2 of their 4/5/6 starting cards in combination with any 3 community cards to make a hand. Now for some good news: Having 4/5/6 hole cards to choose from means that the average winning hand won't be Two Pair. Straights, Flushes and Full Houses are very common in this poker genre.

Newbie Tip: Holding 3 flush cards in your starting 4? You can only use 2 to make a flush, so you've already lost one out!

Pre-Flop Action

Pre-flop, the player directly to the left of the big blind gets everything into gear. They can fold (not play the hand), call (match a prior bet or raise) or raise (increase size of current bet up to pot). In PLO, the minimum bet is the equal to the big blind, just like in Hold'em, and the maximum bet is equal to the amount in the pot at any given time. The action continues clockwise around the table until each player has had a chance to act. If there is no prior raise, the Big Blind can also check.

Newbie Tip: Just like in Hold'em, a $1/$2 table in PLO means that the small blind is $1 and the big blind is $2

Post-Flop Action

After the pre-flop betting round ends, the first of 3 community cards – the Flop – are dealt out. These cards can be used by all active players to form the best 5-card hand. The first active player, seated left of the dealer, kicks off the 2nd betting round. Action continues clockwise around the table, with every player getting the opportunity to act.

Newbie Tip: As is the case in many other poker genres, a big % of your hand is made on the flop, therefore, choose wisely which ones to continue playing.

Post-Turn Action

After the flop, a third deal takes place – the 4th community card, also known as the Turn. Like the flop, this card is also open to use to all active players. Once again, the remaining players have the option to check, bet, call (if there's a bet), raise (if there's a bet) or fold.

Newbie Tip: Make sure that you draw to the best possible straights or flushes. It is quite common to see lower straights and flushes get crushed on the River by better ones.

Post-River Action

The River is the fifth and final community card that is available for all players to use to form their best 5 card hand. Once again, the post -River session is played the same way as the Turn and Flop before it. The remaining players in the hand will be able to act in much the same fashion as before: checking, betting, calling (if there's a bet), raising (if there's a bet) or folding.

Newbie Trivia: Omaha High probably originated in the Chicago or Detroit areas in the late 1960's – not Omaha, Nebraska - before making its way to Las Vegas in the early 80's.

Showdown Shenanigans

The Showdown is the next step following the 4th betting round, as long as more than one player remains in the hand. During the showdown stage, each of the remaining players must use 2 of their 4/5/6 hole cards + 3 of the 5 community cards to form the highest ranking 5-card hand. The rest is easy: The player with the best poker hand wins. Now scoop in your pot!

Newbie Tip: Keep in mind that holding just one card in any suit won't give you a flush. You must use 2 from your starting hand + 3 from the board.

Read our ultimate guide for poker showdown.

Ready for Another Hand?

The dealer is ready to deal you into a new hand, but are you? It’s time to put all you've learnt so far to the test and gear up for the next round of Omaha Hi poker. Get ready to bet, call, raise and make that almighty Omaha Hi draw.

Challenge yourself to learn a new poker game and then challenge the Omaha tables at 888poker!

Omaha Hi poker FAQs

How do you play Omaha Hi poker?

Every player receives four hole cards. After each of the four betting rounds (pre-flop, flop, turn, and river) new community cards are dealt. Players need to make the best hand using three community cards and two of their hole cards to make the best hand. The game ends when the last round has finished and the remaining players reveal their hands.

What are the best starting hands in Omaha Hi?

These are usually high pairs or coordinated cards that can make strong draws, e.g. A-A-K-K double-suited, A-A-J-T double-suited, and K-K-Q-Q double-suited.

How do you bet in Omaha Hi poker?

The direction of betting in Omaha Hi is clockwise. On each player’s turn they can choose to check, bet, call, raise, or fold.

How does the dealer button work in Omaha Hi poker?

The dealer button rotates clockwise after each hand, indicating the dealer at that point. The player to the left of the button posts the small blind, and the next player to the left posts the big blind. The button determines the order of betting and dealing cards.

What is the difference between Pot-Limit and Limit Omaha Hi?

Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) is considered a more aggressive format. Players can bet any amount they choose, but not more than the current size of the pot. In Limit Omaha Hi, which is more conservative, the bet amounts are fixed and the number of raises in each round is limited.

What are the differences between live and online Omaha Hi poker?

Online poker tends to be faster-paced and players can play multiple tables at any given time. You’re also likely to find more beginner poker players online than in live poker.

How do you read opponents in online Omaha Hi poker without physical tells?

Because you can’t see physical tells when playing online, players need to rely on betting patterns and timing tells, which is how long it takes an opponent to decide on their next move. Where relevant, an opponent’s chat behaviour could provide clues as well.

Pot Limit Omaha (Omaha-Hi) Takes Down Hold'em!

Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) is a game where the pots can get even bigger than No Limit Hold'em. It's not unusual to see 3, 4 or even 5 players all-in on the flop – all reaching for that addicting draw. It can be a heady game, with swings big enough - and more over the top - to make Cirque du Soleil's high-flying performers look like amateurs! PLO has come a long way since its early Vegas days and is ready to take over Hold'em's number one spot. Here are a few reasons why:

You get 4/5/6 cards to play with, instead of 2, as in Hold'em.
Even though you have 4/5/6 hole cards, you can only use 2 to make a hand.
You can't “play the board”. All flush cards on the board and none in your hand? You don't have a flush.
You can have more outs for straights in Omaha – called “wrap outs”. Sometimes as much as 20!
Think you get “rivered” a lot in Hold'em? In PLO, it's common to see as many as 3 flushes at showdown – all in the same suit.

For the official Omaha Hi rules to the game, including all terms and conditions, please click here.