Cold Omaha Poker Rules

Cold Omaha Poker

Cold Omaha is a variation of poker based on the rules of Omaha Hi-Lo (8 or Better). The game is played by 5 to 10 players with each of them receiving five hole cards (one more than in the regular Omaha game). As soon as the cards are dealt, the deck may be left aside as it is no longer needed in the game. Every player observes their cards and gives up one card that they do not need face-down. The dealer collects these cards, makes up a deck and shuffles it.

Game Play

After the compulsory bets are made, the dealer takes three cards out of the small deck and puts them on the table face-up. The flop is followed by a betting round. On the Turn another card is delivered to the table and another betting round takes place. The River puts the last of the five community cards face-up on the table and is then followed by the final betting round.

The Showdown

At the showdown every player who had not folded reveals their best high and low card combinations by using only two of their hole cards and three cards from the table. The pot is split as usual.

The game becomes especially interesting for those having a flush or a set.

Notes

Note, that the cards collected from the players are used to form a deck which is then used for delivering cards to the table. Therefore if the game is played by five players, each of them definitely knows one card that is going to come of the flop, turn or on the river. However, if there are more than five players at the table, none of them is sure that the card they've given up will appear, although the chances are still quite high.