How To Play No-Limit Omaha Hold 'Em

The dealer shuffles and cuts the deck of cards.

The player to the left of the dealer is given the “small blind” button, indicating that he or she posts the small blind bet. The player two places to the left of the dealer is given the “big blind” button and places the big blind bet. These are considered the ante and vary from game to game.

The dealer deals four cards face-down to each player. Everyone assesses his or her hand.

The deal is followed by the first round of betting, starting with the third player to the dealer’s left. Each player can call and/or raise the blind bet, or fold their hand.

After the first round of betting, the dealer turns up three communal cards, called the “flop,” in the middle of the table.

The flop is followed by a second round of betting, starting with the player to the dealer’s left.

After the second round of betting has finished, the dealer turns up a fourth communal card, called the “turn.”

The “turn” is followed by a third round of betting.

Next, the dealer turns up a fifth communal card, called the “river.”

The “river” is followed by the final round of betting.

If everyone but a single player has folded, that remaining player is the winner and doesn’t have to reveal his or her cards.

If two or more players remain, they reveal their cards (in what is called the “showdown”). The winner is the player with the highest five-card poker hand that uses exactly two of the four cards they were dealt and any three of the communal cards in the middle of the table.

When the hand has been played to completion, the dealer, small blind, and big blind buttons rotate clockwise one player to begin the next hand.