How to Play Omaha High
Just as in poker Hold'em there are two required wagers to start the game, called the "big blind" and the "small blind". The blinds are required wagers to initiate action in the game. The big blind is the minimum you must bet to play the hand, as well as the name of the player two seats to the left of the dealer. The small blind is half the amount of the big blind, and also the name of the player one seat to the left of the dealer. If you are playing in a casino, the house will designate a dealer with use of the "button". This is to show where the action is and the button rotates to the left throughout the game along with the blinds.
To begin the game, the dealer deals everyone four cards face down. The small blind is the first to receive a card (first person to the left of the dealer) and the remaining cards are dealt out clockwise around the table.
The first to act is the person to the left of the big blind, because the big blind already has the chips in the pot. The players will look at their hands and decide whether to play or fold. If a player does want in, he must put the correct amount into the pot. This amount is determined by the amount of the blind and is the least amount you must put in to play.
If you want to raise the pot, you must put in at least the amount of the big blind, for example if the big blind is two chips, you must raise at least two chips, not one. The small blind has the option of putting in the remaining number of chips needed to play, or folding. Unless the pot has been raised, the big blind already has his bet in, and has the "option". This means they may then check or bet.
After everyone has decided whether or not they are in, the dealer takes all the chips and puts them in the middle. This is now the pot that you are trying to win. The dealer will now discard or "burn" one card face down, and then turn three cards face up. This is called "the flop". Another round of betting takes place and players can either check or bet. At this point, if someone bets, there is the option for another player to raise that bet by at least the amount of the big blind.
After all players have checked, bet, or folded, the dealer will again burn one card face down and then turn one up. This is called "the turn". Once again, another round of betting occurs similar to the previous round. Finally, the dealer deals one card down and one more up. This is called "the river" or final card.
Everyone now checks, bets, or folds for the last time and the remaining players show their hand to determine who wins the pot. Players must use two cards from their hand and three from the "board" (the cards from the flop, turn, and river) to make their hand of five. This is unlike Hold'em where you can use four cards from the board and one from hand. If the best hand is made on the board then the players will split the pot.