Omaha is a fantastic poker variation in which the player receives 4 hole cards, rather than the usual 2 hole cards in Texas Hold'em. However, because players are more likely to develop a decent poker hand, they are also more likely to stay in the pot. This creates for a more expensive evening at the tables. Add Pot Limit to the mix, and you better watch your stack closely!

What Makes Omaha Different?

While each player receives 4 hole cards, this doesn't mean they have 9 cards to create the best possible poker hand. That would just be too easy, right? Right. To raise the ante, so to speak, Omaha Poker requires the player to use a specific amount of cards from their Hole Cards and the Community Cards. They must combine exactly 2 Hole Cards with exactly 3 Community Cards.

For example, if your Hole Cards are: 2h-Qh-Kh-Ac
and the Community Cards are: 3d-5h-8s-10h-Js

It would appear you could create both a Flush in hearts or an Ace-high Straight - not true. A player must use 2 hole cards, no more, no less. Therefore, he best possible 5-card poker hand is only Ace-high.

What is Pot Limit?

Now to throw Pot Limit into the mix... Pot Limit Omaha means the maximum Bet/Raise is always equal to the size of the Pot - the Pot is the Limit on bets. To start, the first maximum bet would be equal to the sum of the blinds.. For example, a $1/$2 Pot Limit Omaha game would start with Small Blind of $1 and Big Blind of $2. By the time the first player bets, besides the blinds, the Pot is at $3. This makes the maximum bet now $3. Let's say the player does bet $3. Now the next player is looking at a $6 Pot. He can either Call the $3, or Raise up to $6 higher. Should he choose to raise $6, the next player would have the option of Raising as high as $12, and so forth.

You see how it can quickly become very expensive, yes? Good. Novice players are not recommended to attempt a game of Pot Limit Omaha for real money on their first few attempts. Play the game for fun until you get a feel for it. Then you'll know what level of stakes to enter if you decide to play Pot Limit Omaha for real money.

How To Play Pot Limit Omaha

Now that you have a basic understanding, lets run through an example game for a better idea of how to play Pot Limit Omaha.

The Deal: The Small Blind and Big Blind bets are placed respectively, starting with the player directly left of the Dealer Button. Each player is dealt 4 hole cards facedown. Everyone may look at their own cards, then starting with the player left of the Big Blind bet, the first round of betting commences. The minimum bid is equal to the Big Blind, the maximum bid always equal to the current size of the Pot.

The Flop: Three Community Cards are dealt face-up to the center of the table. Each player may use these cards, combined with their own Hold Cards, to develop a hand. Another round of betting commences, this time, and for each time thereafter, starting with the Small Blind bettor (left of the Dealer Button).

The Turn: A fourth Community Card is dealt to the center of the table. Another round of betting follows.

The River: A fifth and final Community Card is dealt. Each player now knows the full strength of their hand, combining exactly 2 Hole Cards with exactly 3 Community Cards, to develop the strongest 5-card poker hand. The final round of betting ensues.

The Showdown: All players reveal their best possible 5-card poker hand. The highest hand takes the Pot. Ties are determined by high card. In the case of an exact tie, the winners split the Pot.