Omaha is a variation of Texas Hold’em and is played for both high and low. The structure of the game is the same as Texas Hold’em. There is a small and big blind and the dealer button moves clockwise after each hand. There are still five (5) community cards. But in this game, each player receives four (4) down cards instead of two (2). The important thing to understand in this game is that you must use only two (2) of your down cards, and any three (3) of the community cards to make the best five (5) card hand. You may combine cards for both high and low, but you must use any two (2) cards from your hand for high and/or any two (2) cards for low.

The best high hand and the best low hand split the pot equally. There is a qualifier of eight or better for low. To qualify for low you need to have five different cards of which none are higher than an eight and three (3) of those cards must be on the board. You must play two (2) from your hand.

• Example 1: The board reads A – K – Q – 7 - 8. Your hand is K – Q – 4 - 2. You may use your 2 and 4 for the low with the A, 8 and 7 on the board and your K and Q for high with the K and Q on the board giving you two pair. If no one qualifies for a low hand, then the best high hand takes the entire pot.

• Example 2: For instance, to make a flush, you must have two (2) of a matching suit in your hand and at least three (3) of that same suit on the board.