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Omaha Poker Rules: How to Play Pot Limit Omaha

Updated 30 October 2026 · 5 min read

Omaha is the second most popular poker game after Texas Hold'em. It plays like Hold'em, but you get four hole cards (or five in PLO5) and must use exactly two of them. Hands are bigger and games are more action-packed.

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Omaha rules in short

Every player gets four private cards (PLO4), or five (PLO5, also called Big O).
The betting rounds, blinds and dealer button are the same as in Texas Hold'em.
The board has five community cards: flop, turn and river.
You must use exactly two hole cards and exactly three board cards to make your hand.
Pot limit betting: the largest bet or raise is the size of the pot after you call.

Why Omaha is different

Because you must use exactly two cards, many hands that look strong are not. Four hearts on the board with only one heart in your hand is not a flush; you need two hearts in your hand. Omaha players often make the nuts (the best possible hand), so you often need a strong made hand to win a big pot.

In PLO5 you have even more combinations (ten two-card combinations instead of six), which gives more draws and bigger pots.

Pot limit Omaha betting

In pot limit Omaha a raise can be at most the pot size. To work out the maximum raise: add the call to the pot, then raise that total. Pot limit prevents huge all-in bets early in a hand, so the stack is protected for later streets. Many players find PLO has more draws and more big hands than no limit Hold'em.

Omaha starting hands

Good: double-suited connected hands like A♠K♠Q♥J♥ and "rundowns" such as 9-8-7-6.
Strong: pairs with suited aces, like A♠A♦K♠Q♦.
Avoid: "dangler" hands where one card does not work with the others.

Starting hands that work together matter more than a single big card.

Omaha strategy tips

Play hands where all four cards work together.
Draw to the nut flush and nut straight, not to weak versions.
Be careful with sets and low flushes on wet boards.
Position matters even more than in Hold'em.

Frequently asked questions

What is pot limit Omaha?

Pot limit Omaha (PLO) is Omaha poker where the maximum bet is the size of the pot. It is usually played with four hole cards (PLO4) or five (PLO5).

What are the Omaha poker rules for hole cards?

You must use exactly two of your hole cards and exactly three of the five board cards.

Is Omaha harder than Texas Hold'em?

Omaha is more complex because hands are bigger and draws more common, but the rules are very similar. Learn Hold'em first.