The poker rules for Omaha Hold’em are very similar to those of Texas Hold’em.  In esence,  there are really only two differences.  In Omaha Hold’em each player receives four hole cards and must use three community cards to make the final hand.

Omaha poker rules may vary but more often than not the game is played high-low split.  In basic terms this means that the highest and lowest hands split the pot.  In most instances,  the lowest hand must be an eight or lower  (referred to as eight low).  If there is no low hand then the high hand wins the whole pot.

There are four rounds of betting.  Each round of betting may only consist of a maximum of four bets per player:  a bet,  a raise,  another raise and a call.  After each player is dealt their four hole cards,  the first round of betting ensues.

The dealer than proceeds to turn over the three community cards,  the flop,  before the second round of betting occurs.  The third and fourth betting rounds in Omaha take place after the fourth and fifth community cards are turned over.  The last player to make a bet will be the person to show his hand first in what poker rules refers to as the showdown.

If given a choice,  most poker players will choose to play Texas Holdem as opposed to Omaha holdem.  Why?  Due to the simple fact that Omaha's poker rules dictate how many hole cards and community cards one must use in order to make a final hand.  Some say that this interferes with good ole Lady Luck.