When the average person thinks about poker, the type of poker that usually comes to mind is Texas Hold ‘em. However, that isn’t the only type that there is. There is another type of poker called Omaha Stakes that is lots of fun to play and has the ability to help you make a great deal of money in a relatively short period of time. Omaha Stakes, which is sometimes called Omaha Hold ‘em bears a remarkable resemblance to Texas Hold ‘Em, but there are some minor changes that could really confuse the uneducated player.

To play a game of Omaha Stakes poker, there needs to be 2-6 players. A regular deck of playing cards and some poker chips are the only other things you need to play this game until your heart’s content.

The first difference is the dealer. When playing Texas Hold ‘Em, the dealer is always changing. When the game is being played in a casino, the dealer’s only job is to deal the cards, they don’t play, so instead the button is passed from one player to the next, allowing a different player to place the first bet each time a new hand is dealt.

Before the game starts, a limit needs to be determined. If you are playing at a casino or if you are in an online poker room, this isn’t a problem. You choose the table and/or room based on the limit. However if you are just getting together for a fun game with some of your friends you need to settle on the limit before the first hand is dealt. Knowing the limit in advance can help prevent hurt feelings and misunderstandings.

Another difference between the Omaha and Texas versions of the game is that when playing Omaha Stakes, each player is dealt four cards instead of two.

Once the cards have been dealt, the player sitting on the left side of the dealer is obligated to put in half of the agreed upon pot. If the agreed upon betting pool was $2 than this person is obligated to bet $1. They cannot get out of it. This bet is called the blind (or little blind) bet. The purpose for the blind bet is to make sure that there is at least some money on the table in case there is a winner at the end of the first round. The person sitting on the left side of the little blind player is than obligated to place $2 onto the table.

Each time a new hand is dealt, the two blind players change. The rotation usually goes clockwise around the table.

Once the two blind bets have been placed, the dealer removes three community cards onto the table. These cards are going to be used to determine the value of each player’s hands. The players participate in a round of bidding where players let the rest of the table know what they are going to do; raise, check, call or fold.

When this round of bidding is done, the dealer lays another community card and another round of bidding ensues.

This continues to go on until the dealer has laid five cards. When the fifth card is laid, the party poker players need to determine which cards they are going to use. Each player is obligated to use two of their hold cards and three of the community cards. Another round of bidding ensues until only two players are left. These are the players who show their final hand. Whichever one of these players has the best hand, wins the game.