What is Exchange Omaha Hi and How Do I Play It?
This game is based on the poker game commonly known as ‘Omaha High’.
Each game begins with 21 cards being dealt face down from one randomly shuffled pack. 16 of the 21 cards are grouped in fours to form 4 separate hands as displayed on the site (these cards grouped in fours can be known as ‘hole cards’). The remaining 5 cards form a pool of community cards.
The first round of betting occurs whilst all cards are face down (The ‘deal’). Players should bet on which individual hand they think will win the game. Bets can be placed to back or lay each hand.
Each round of betting lasts for a specific period of time before unmatched bets are cancelled and the next cards turned face up. The length of time is indicated by the movement of the bar just below the community cards. (Please note the progress bar is an indication only).
At the end of the first round of betting, unmatched bets are cancelled and the hands of four of cards forming the individual hands are simultaneously turned face up. There is then another round of betting, again bets can back or lay each individual hand within the game (Pre Flop).
At the end of the second round of betting, unmatched bets are cancelled and the first three of the community cards (sometimes known as the ‘flop’) are turned face up. Another round of betting then begins.
The end of the third round of betting sees unmatched bets cancelled before the fourth card from the community cards is turned face up (this card is sometimes know as the ‘turn’). Another round of betting then commences.
The fourth and final round of betting finishes with unmatched bets cancelled before the fifth and final of the community cards is turned face up (this is sometimes known as the ‘river’).
The result of the game is determined by which hand has the highest 5 card poker ranking within the predetermined hand hierarchy. The final 5 card ranking for each hand is determined by the best combination of 5 cards (2 of the 4 hole cards) + (3 of the 5 community cards).
E.g. Hand 1 has Ac As Ah Ad, Hand 2 has Kc 3c 5h 4d, Community Cards are Kd Kh Ks 3h Qd. The best 5 card poker ranking for Hand 1 is Full House (Kings full of Aces) and the best 5 card poker ranking for Hand 2 is Four of a kind (Kings, 5 High).
Should two hands have cards or combinations of cards with equal standing and value then the value of the remaining cards in that hand is used to determine the winner (sometimes know as the kicker). Should the hands still be of equal values then dead heat rules will apply (sometimes known as ‘splitting the pot’).