If you’re already familiar with Texas Hold’em or 4 Card Omaha, it’s time to level up your game with 5 Card Omaha. This dynamic poker variant combines strategy, excitement, and complexity by giving each player an extra card, changing the way hands are built and bets are made.
In this complete 5 Card Omaha guide, we’ll walk you through:
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The official rules of 5 Card Omaha
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Hand rankings and how the game differs from other poker types
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Strategic tips for beginners
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FAQs
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And where you can play free 5 Card Omaha poker games online
Whether you’re new to the game or looking to sharpen your strategy, this guide has everything you need to get started.
What Is 5 Card Omaha Poker?
5 Card Omaha is a variant of Omaha Hold’em where each player is dealt five hole cards instead of four. The rest of the game follows the standard Omaha rules — players use exactly two of their hole cards and three of the five community cards to make the best five-card poker hand.
Key Characteristics:
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Players are dealt 5 hole cards (instead of 2 in Hold’em or 4 in Omaha)
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You must use exactly 2 hole cards + 3 community cards
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Larger pots due to stronger hand combinations
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High-action gameplay with more opportunities and more mistakes
Basic Rules of 5 Card Omaha
Understanding the rules of 5 Card Omaha is the first step to mastering this exciting poker variant.
1. Blinds & Dealer Button
Just like in Texas Hold’em, the game uses a rotating dealer button and has small blind and big blind bets to initiate the action.
2. Dealing the Cards
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Each player is dealt 5 hole cards face down.
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Then, the dealer places 5 community cards face up in the center during the game.
3. Betting Rounds
There are four betting rounds:
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Pre-Flop (after the hole cards are dealt)
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Flop (after 3 community cards are revealed)
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Turn (after the 4th community card is revealed)
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River (after the 5th community card is revealed)
4. Hand Formation
Each player must build a hand using:
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Exactly 2 of their 5 hole cards
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Exactly 3 of the 5 community cards
Important: You can’t use 1 or 3 hole cards. You must use exactly 2.
5. Winning the Pot
At showdown, the player with the best 5-card poker hand wins the pot. Standard poker hand rankings apply (more on that below).
Hand Rankings in 5 Card Omaha
While the game rules are different, the hand rankings remain the same as in Texas Hold’em:
| Hand Rank | Example |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ |
| Straight Flush | 9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥ |
| Four of a Kind | Q♠ Q♦ Q♥ Q♣ 9♠ |
| Full House | J♦ J♠ J♥ 8♠ 8♣ |
| Flush | K♠ 10♠ 7♠ 5♠ 2♠ |
| Straight | 8♦ 7♣ 6♠ 5♠ 4♣ |
| Three of a Kind | 6♣ 6♠ 6♦ K♥ 2♣ |
| Two Pair | 10♥ 10♠ 7♦ 7♣ 3♥ |
| One Pair | 9♠ 9♣ A♦ 6♣ 2♠ |
| High Card | A♠ 10♦ 7♣ 5♦ 3♠ |
Because players receive 5 hole cards, stronger hands are more common, so don’t expect to win with just top pair or two pairs like in Hold’em.
5 Card Omaha Strategy Guide for Beginners
Learning the rules is just the start — you also need a winning strategy to stay ahead of the competition.
1. Play Fewer Hands
With more cards, it’s tempting to play more often, but you should actually tighten your range. Focus on double-suited and connected cards that can make flushes, straights, or full houses.
2. Avoid Overvaluing Top Pair
In 5 Card Omaha, hands like one pair or two pair rarely win at showdown. You need nut draws or strong made hands.
3. Prioritize Position
Play more hands from the button or cutoff. Being in position helps you control pot size and read your opponents better.
4. Use Pot Control
Don’t inflate the pot without a solid hand or strong draw. With more cards on the table, variance increases, and mistakes are punished more severely.
5. Watch for Blockers
You hold 5 cards — this means you block many potential combinations that your opponent could be holding. Learn to identify blockers and use them to inform your decisions.
Where to Play 5 Card Omaha Online for Free
If you’re just starting, practicing for free is a smart idea. Here are some trusted poker platforms that offer free 5 Card Omaha games:
| Site | Platform | Free Option | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PokerStars | Desktop/Mobile | Yes | Play money tables |
| 888poker | Desktop/Mobile | Yes | Freerolls & practice tables |
| ClubGG | Mobile | Yes | Requires Club ID |
| PokerBROS | Mobile | Yes | Private club games |
Advanced Rule Variants: Hi-Lo and Pot-Limit
While the core rules of 5 Card Omaha stay the same, you might come across these variants:
Pot-Limit 5 Card Omaha (PLO5)
This is the most popular betting format. You can only bet up to the size of the pot, reducing all-in shoves and creating more strategic depth.
5 Card Omaha Hi-Lo (8 or Better)
In this version, the pot is split between the highest and lowest qualifying hands. The low hand must be 8-high or lower. This variant demands hand reading skill and multi-way thinking.
FAQs
Q1. What’s the difference between 5 Card Omaha and 4 Card Omaha?
The only difference is that you get 5 hole cards instead of 4. Everything else — betting rounds, hand formation, and rules — remains the same.
Q2. Can I play 5 Card Omaha at live casinos?
Yes, but it’s more common online. Some live cash games and tournaments offer it, especially in Europe and Asia.
Q3. Is 5 Card Omaha legal to play online?
In most countries, playing poker online — especially for free — is completely legal. Check your local laws for real-money play.
Q4. What’s the best way to learn 5 Card Omaha?
Start by reading strategy blogs, watching YouTube tutorials, and practicing on free poker sites. We recommend Upswing Poker’s Omaha courses for in-depth learning.
Final Thoughts
5 Card Omaha is not just a variation — it’s an upgrade. With more cards, stronger hands, and deeper strategy, it offers a fresh challenge for poker enthusiasts. Mastering the rules is easy, but beating the competition takes practice, patience, and smart play.
Ready to hit the virtual tables? Start by playing free 5 Card Omaha on PokerStars or 888poker and take your first step toward becoming a better Omaha player.
