But, before I start explaining the basic rules of Omaha poker, I recommend that you download an online poker software (PartyPoker is the most popular), so you can play the game for free while learning more about it. That way, you will be able to see how the rules apply at the same time you are learning the rules, without having to lose money because you don't know the rules yet.

It is the goal of Omaha poker to get the best hand on the table, using 2 of your cards and 3 community cards. When playing Omaha Hi/Lo, at least half the pot will be awarded to the player with the best hand, while the other half might be awarded to a player having the lowest hand, which is defined as a hand holding 5 cards that are equal or lower than 8 and are not identical. The Ace counts as a card lower than 8 and is the lowest one available. Therefore, a hand qualifies for the low pot for example when it holds Ace, 3, 4, 5, 8. Should more than one person qualify for the low pot, the person with the lowest high card is the winner. For example, A, 2, 3, 4, 8 is beaten by 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 because the highest low card of the first hand (8) is higher than the highest low card of the second hand (7). When playing for the low pot, you also have to use 2 of your own cards and 3 community cards. It is also important to know that your hands for the high pot and the low pot don't have to use the same cards, but you can use different cards you are holding to qualify for each pot. Should nobody qualify for the low pot in Omaha Hi/Lo, the player with the best high hand will receive the entire pot.

At the beginning of the game, one player will be designated the dealer. The person to the left of the dealer will have to post the small blind, which is usually half the big blind. The person to the left of the small blind will have to post the big blind. After the blinds have been placed, 4 whole cards (your own cards) will be dealt to each active player. After the cards are dealt, a first round of betting occurs.

After the first round betting is over, 3 community cards will be dealt. These cards are also called the Flop and are common to all players participating in the hand. A second round of betting occurs.

Next, a fourth community card will be dealt, which is called the turn. After this, a third round of betting happens.

This third round of betting is followed by the dealing of the river, which is a fifth community card, which is then followed by a last round of betting. After this betting occured, the players will show their hands to determine the winner of the hand. Once the winner is determined, the pot will be paid out to the winner of this particular hand.

Now, the dealer button moves to the small blind and the big blind of the previous hand now posts the small blind, while the person to the left of the previous big blind now posts the big blind.

These are the basic rules of Omaha poker. To learn more about Omaha poker, visit our Omaha poker strategy section. To get more detailed rules of Omaha or Omaha Hi/Lo, visit the rules section of any online poker room, as exact rules might vary between poker rooms.