6 Card Omaha: Rules, Combinations, and Game Strategy

Omaha is one of the few variants of poker that has many modifications. Many of them were initially available only in online formats and gained popularity offline after some time. Among poker enthusiasts, 6-Card Omaha is of particular interest due to the higher chances of getting draws and creating high-ranking combinations.

Game Rules

For those already familiar with classic Omaha, it won’t be difficult to learn the rules of the 6-card version. However, newcomers to the poker world will need some time to understand the principles of dealing and determining the winners.

Stages of the game:

1. Pre-flop: Two players sitting to the left of the button position post mandatory blinds, which form the starting pot. Then, all players at the table receive 6 hole cards each, which are dealt face down and hidden from opponents.
2. Flop: Three community cards are revealed on the board. These cards are shared, meaning that all players can use them to create combinations.
3. Turn and River: At each of these stages, one additional community card is revealed.

As the hand progresses, the pot size increases. This happens because each stage is accompanied by a round of betting where players can choose to contribute more to the pot.

Available actions in betting rounds:

1. Bet: Matching the size of the big blind to continue playing.
2. Call: Placing the same amount of money into the pot as the previous player.
3. Raise: Increasing the opponent’s bet.
4. Check: Passing the turn to the next player without making a bet. This can only be done if no one has placed a bet during the current betting round.
5. Re-raise: Responding to an opponent’s raise with an even higher bet.

Each betting round continues until all players have contributed the same amount to the pot. If someone chooses not to match a bet, they must fold, which ends their participation in the current hand, meaning they forfeit any claim to the pot.

If all other opponents fold in response to a player’s bet, then that player wins the pot. The strength of their combination does not matter, nor does the value of the card layouts of the opponents.

Combinations in 6 Card Omaha

If, after the river betting round, there are two or more players left in the hand, a showdown occurs. Players compare their combinations, and when forming these combinations, they must use any two hole cards and three from the board.

The hierarchy of combinations in 6-Card Omaha is similar to Texas Hold’em and is reflected in the table below.

Game Strategy

6-Card Omaha is a relatively young poker discipline, and finding universally effective strategies for it can be challenging. Therefore, participants usually adhere to general guidelines:

1. Avoid showing aggression pre-flop. Making large pre-flop bets is often unjustified because most opponents enter the game and see the flop. Even with premium starting hands, it’s not always possible to hit a strong flop.
2. Don’t overvalue draws. In traditional poker disciplines, draws hold high value. However, in 6-Card Omaha, incomplete combinations are common, so making large bets with draws is generally not advisable.
3. Forget about bluffing. Bluffing is largely ineffective in this discipline, so it’s best to play straightforwardly based on your hand’s strength.
4. Be active in betting when you have a strong made hand, but it should provide a high chance of winning. Keep in mind that the value of flushes and lower-ranked combinations is not as significant in this variant, so you should objectively evaluate the strength of your hand.

Differences 6 card omaha from Other Poker Variants

What sets this Omaha modification apart is that players are immediately dealt 6 cards. In classic Omaha, players receive only 4 cards, and in Texas Hold’em, they get 2. This makes it more challenging to assess opponents’ hand strengths and ranges.

Compared to Stud and Razz, the key difference in this Omaha modification is the number of starting hands and the absence of a board. In these two disciplines, no community cards are dealt.

Where to Play 6 Card Omaha

Currently, you can find this discipline only in online poker rooms. One such room is “Pokerdom,” a Russian-based platform primarily aimed at beginners and recreational players. You can always find 6-Card Omaha tables here, with stakes starting at 1–2 rubles.

Additionally, “Pokerdom” supports a free play mode, which is ideal for learning the rules and gaining practical experience. In this mode, participants use virtual chips.

Tables for 6-Card Omaha in “Pokerdom” are designed for six players and support heads-up format, allowing you to play one-on-one by inviting a random player or a friend.

Limits and Other Game Features

This discipline is offered with a pot-limit betting format, which means players can bet no more than the current pot’s size. For example, if the pot contains 1000 rubles, the maximum bet can also be 1000 rubles. However, as the pot size increases during the hand, the maximum bet limit increases accordingly.

Download 6-card poker

To download 6-card poker and start playing, follow these steps using the example of “Pokerdom”:

1. Open the main page of the poker room’s website.
2. In the menu, select the “Poker” tab.
3. Click on the “Download” button.
4. Confirm the download of the application.

Installation of the software is similar to installing any other PC software.

Once the installation is complete, you will see the “Pokerdom” icon on your desktop. Click on it to launch the application.

For Beginners: How to Start Playing

To access 6-card Omaha tables after installing the application, follow these steps:

1. Register an account. Fill out the registration form on the poker room’s website with the required information accurately.
2. Fund your account. Use your bank card or electronic wallet for deposits. The minimum deposit in “Pokerdom” is 500 rubles.
3. Open the lobby. In the lobby, select the “Cash” tab, then find a 6-card Omaha table. Click the “Join” button next to it, pay the buy-in, and wait for the start of the hand.

In addition to cash games, poker rooms also host 6-card Omaha tournaments. These tournaments typically involve several hundred participants. Each player pays a buy-in at the start and competes for a portion of the prize pool. The prize pool size depends on the chosen tournament and can range from 1,000 to 100,000 rubles or even more.

Poker Training

6-card Omaha cannot be classified as an easy form of poker. It requires the development of detailed strategies, the use of various tactical techniques, and mathematical calculations. Therefore, it is recommended for beginners to undergo training. You can enroll in the free “Pokerdom” school for this purpose. Experienced players can find coaches for individual lessons or advanced player courses. Additionally, it is advisable to study books, video-on-demand (VOD) content, and articles to improve your skills.