UB and Absolute Poker are the latest online poker rooms to offer a tournament with proceeds going to earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
Absolute Poker and UB, which are both owned by Tokwiro Enterprises, will host the event this Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 20:30 ET.
The tournament buy-in will be $5 with a turbo rebuy format and Tokwiro will match 100% of the cash that is raised through the tournament.
"Along with the rest of the world, we've watched the headlines and news unfold with growing horror as the magnitude of the devastation in Haiti has been revealed," said Paul Leggett, Tokwiro's CEO.
"We believe we have a duty to do what we can to help raise funds and awareness for the plight of the people of Haiti, and our 'Play for Haiti' tournament is one small way we can work with our players to contribute."
Concerned players won’t walk away empty-handed as UB and Absolute Poker have added over $10,000 in prizes including a $2,500+$100 entry into Ultimate Bet Online Championship Event 8 for first place.
All the money from the tournament will go towards the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
The event can be found under ‘Play for Haiti’ in the special tournaments lobby on both UB and Absolute Poker.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
WSOPC Heads Back to Tunica
The World Series of Poker Circuit is headed back to Mississippi this week.
The fifth stop of the WSOPC 2009-2010 season at Harrah's Tunica in Tunica, Mississippi begins Jan. 20 with the first of 19 ring events.
Included in the series are a $200+30 Ladies No Limit Hold'em event, a $200+30 Seniors No Limit Hold'em event and the annual $5,000+150 Harrah's Tunica Main Event Championship.
In last year’s main event, Kai Landry outlasted a field that included pros Gavin Smith, Kathy Liebert and PokerListings’ blogger Matt Stout, who finished third.
Landry won $183,974 and the $10,000 buy-in to the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event.
With four more ring events added, Harrah’s is predicting this year’s Tunica circuit stop will be its biggest and most exciting to date.
"Harrah's Tunica has always been one of the biggest and brightest stops on the circuit," said tournament director, Jimmy Sommerfeld. "Last year, we had all of the tables going throughout the day."
Harrah's Tunica is currently offering special WSOP room rates to players participating in the event.
The main event begins Feb. 8 and runs through Feb. 10.
The fifth stop of the WSOPC 2009-2010 season at Harrah's Tunica in Tunica, Mississippi begins Jan. 20 with the first of 19 ring events.
Included in the series are a $200+30 Ladies No Limit Hold'em event, a $200+30 Seniors No Limit Hold'em event and the annual $5,000+150 Harrah's Tunica Main Event Championship.
In last year’s main event, Kai Landry outlasted a field that included pros Gavin Smith, Kathy Liebert and PokerListings’ blogger Matt Stout, who finished third.
Landry won $183,974 and the $10,000 buy-in to the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event.
With four more ring events added, Harrah’s is predicting this year’s Tunica circuit stop will be its biggest and most exciting to date.
"Harrah's Tunica has always been one of the biggest and brightest stops on the circuit," said tournament director, Jimmy Sommerfeld. "Last year, we had all of the tables going throughout the day."
Harrah's Tunica is currently offering special WSOP room rates to players participating in the event.
The main event begins Feb. 8 and runs through Feb. 10.
Internet Gambling Bill Introduced in New Jersey
Legalized internet gambling and online poker may be coming to New Jersey. State Senator Raymond Lesniak introduced S 3167, which specifically legalizes the internet version of popular brick and mortar games like poker, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, craps, the big six wheel, slot machines, mini baccarat, red dog, pai gow, and sic bo.
Servers and monitoring offices for internet gaming companies created under the bill must be located in Atlantic County, New Jersey. The State is charged with protecting consumers under the bill, which explains that a government division would develop “technical standards for approval of software, computers and other gaming equipment used to conduct internet wagering, including mechanical, electrical or program reliability, security against tampering, the comprehensibility of wagering, and noise and light levels, as it may deem necessary to protect the player from fraud or deception and to insure the integrity of gaming.” Online accounts would only be open to players age 21 or older, mirroring the standards of the brick and mortar casino world.
Online poker is mentioned by name several times, mitigating any doubt that the game may not be legal if Lesniak’s bill were enacted into law. Internet gambling outfits would be subject to a 20% tax paid to the state’s casino revenue fund. An additional tax will see a portion of its proceeds go to the New Jersey Racing Commission “to be used for the benefit of the horse racing, including but not limited to the augmentation of purses.”
The act would take effect immediately upon future Governor Chris Christie signing it into law, setting up a model for intrastate online gaming that other jurisdictions could soon mimic. The New Jersey Casino Control Commission would establish a Division of Internet Wagering to oversee operations and licensing. Permit holders would be required to pay an up-front licensing fee of $200,000, with renewals running $100,000. In addition, operators would be required to fork over a $100,000 non-refundable deposit and $100,000 annual fee that would go towards treating compulsive gambling.
The Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association (iMEGA) has been one of the leading forces pushing for legislation in New Jersey. Its Chairman, Joe Brennan, commented in a press release distributed by the trade organization, “We’re happy that New Jersey has taken this issue into their own hands. New Jersey is recognized as having the toughest gaming regulators in the U.S., but as a leading gaming state with a long track record of doing things the right way, internet gambling will have a great home here and the opportunity to begin normalizing the industry.”
Legal online wagering on horse racing is available to New Jersey residents on 4NJBets.com. Those placing wagers must be 18 years of age and have completed a form W9 for tax purposes. An automated phone betting system supplements the website, allowing multiple avenues for New Jersey residents to place wagers on their favorite ponies. Popular New Jersey tracks include Monmouth, Meadowlands, and Freehold.
On a national level, New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez has introduced S 1597, the Internet Poker and Game of Skill Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act. As its name implies, the measure legalizes skill games like online poker in a similar fashion to Congressman Barney Frank’s (D-MA) HR 2267 in the House. S 1597 was introduced in August, but has not yet picked up any co-sponsors. Menendez’s bill defines “skill game” simply as “an Internet-based game in which success is predominantly determined by the skill of the players, including poker, chess, bridge, mah-jong, and backgammon.”
In the meantime, iMEGA anxiously awaits a decision from the Kentucky Supreme Court on the future of 141 internet gambling domain names, including those belonging to PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, that face potential forfeiture. A decision may be handed down as soon as January 21st.
Servers and monitoring offices for internet gaming companies created under the bill must be located in Atlantic County, New Jersey. The State is charged with protecting consumers under the bill, which explains that a government division would develop “technical standards for approval of software, computers and other gaming equipment used to conduct internet wagering, including mechanical, electrical or program reliability, security against tampering, the comprehensibility of wagering, and noise and light levels, as it may deem necessary to protect the player from fraud or deception and to insure the integrity of gaming.” Online accounts would only be open to players age 21 or older, mirroring the standards of the brick and mortar casino world.
Online poker is mentioned by name several times, mitigating any doubt that the game may not be legal if Lesniak’s bill were enacted into law. Internet gambling outfits would be subject to a 20% tax paid to the state’s casino revenue fund. An additional tax will see a portion of its proceeds go to the New Jersey Racing Commission “to be used for the benefit of the horse racing, including but not limited to the augmentation of purses.”
The act would take effect immediately upon future Governor Chris Christie signing it into law, setting up a model for intrastate online gaming that other jurisdictions could soon mimic. The New Jersey Casino Control Commission would establish a Division of Internet Wagering to oversee operations and licensing. Permit holders would be required to pay an up-front licensing fee of $200,000, with renewals running $100,000. In addition, operators would be required to fork over a $100,000 non-refundable deposit and $100,000 annual fee that would go towards treating compulsive gambling.
The Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association (iMEGA) has been one of the leading forces pushing for legislation in New Jersey. Its Chairman, Joe Brennan, commented in a press release distributed by the trade organization, “We’re happy that New Jersey has taken this issue into their own hands. New Jersey is recognized as having the toughest gaming regulators in the U.S., but as a leading gaming state with a long track record of doing things the right way, internet gambling will have a great home here and the opportunity to begin normalizing the industry.”
Legal online wagering on horse racing is available to New Jersey residents on 4NJBets.com. Those placing wagers must be 18 years of age and have completed a form W9 for tax purposes. An automated phone betting system supplements the website, allowing multiple avenues for New Jersey residents to place wagers on their favorite ponies. Popular New Jersey tracks include Monmouth, Meadowlands, and Freehold.
On a national level, New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez has introduced S 1597, the Internet Poker and Game of Skill Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act. As its name implies, the measure legalizes skill games like online poker in a similar fashion to Congressman Barney Frank’s (D-MA) HR 2267 in the House. S 1597 was introduced in August, but has not yet picked up any co-sponsors. Menendez’s bill defines “skill game” simply as “an Internet-based game in which success is predominantly determined by the skill of the players, including poker, chess, bridge, mah-jong, and backgammon.”
In the meantime, iMEGA anxiously awaits a decision from the Kentucky Supreme Court on the future of 141 internet gambling domain names, including those belonging to PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, that face potential forfeiture. A decision may be handed down as soon as January 21st.
2010 WSOP Rules Permit Twittering at the Table
The official rules for the 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP) were handed down this week, with tournament organizers adopting a cell phone rule that permits text messaging and Twittering at the table.
All cell phones must be turned off during play. However, as the WSOP regulations note, “Players not involved in a hand (cards in muck) shall be permitted to text/email at the table, but shall not be permitted to text/email any other player at the table.” Twittering of chip counts and memorable hands were staples of the 2009 WSOP, when the social media outlet exploded in popularity. Even poker legends like 10-time bracelet winner Doyle Brunson have become engulfed in Twitter, with “Texas Dolly” now able to spit out additional blonde jokes while seated at the table of any 2010 WSOP event.
Any players who wish to talk on their cell phones must be at least one table length away from their seats while gabbing. Meanwhile, the WSOP logo policy in 2010 will remain the same as it was in 2009. No logo will be permitted that promotes drugs, handguns, lotteries, obscene material, pornography, libel, or “advertises any online gaming site that conducts business with U.S. residents.” Nearly every logo shown on ESPN television cameras in 2009 featured the dot-net version of the site’s URL. Meanwhile, Everest Poker, which had sponsored pro Antoine Saout at the final table of the 2009 Main Event, served as the on-felt sponsor of the tournament series. Everest Poker does not accept players from the United States.
Posters on TwoPlusTwo were quick to critique the 2010 WSOP rules, which incorporated revisions made by the Tournament Directors Association. One point of contention concerned late registration. The rule reads, “Any player registering for an event after all initial tables allocated for that tournament have been filled will begin play at the start of the subsequent level.” In the WSOP Main Event, for example, that could mean a player sitting out as long as two hours, the length of one blind level.
Fans of UB.com poker bad boy Phil Hellmuth may see the 11-time bracelet winner show up on time in 2010 thanks to a rule that governs “no shows,” players who fail to show up by the start of the third level of play. The rule mandates, “These players will have their chips removed from play and will not be eligible to participate in that event. The buy-ins for ‘no shows’ will be removed from the prize pool and placed on safekeeping in that player’s name at the main WSOP registration cage after the second level of play.”
Some posters on TwoPlusTwo questioned whether the “no show” clause meant that if a player saw they had a tough table draw, they could simply un-register by not showing up. Member “pineapple888” explained the dilemma: “It seems like you can register, wander by your table an hour into the event, and if there are too many pros/tough players for your liking, or there aren't enough chips on the table, or whatever (no hot chicks at the table or railbirding), just wander away and claim your refund later without penalty.”
The action gets underway in the 2010 WSOP with the annual $500 buy-in Casino Employees No Limit Hold’em event on May 28th. Also to be held on that date is the brand new $50,000 buy-in Player’s Championship, an Eight-Game mix of Limit Hold'em, Omaha High-Low Split Eight or Better, Seven Card Razz, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud High-Low Split Eight or Better, No Limit Hold'em, Pot Limit Omaha, and 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball. It takes the place of the $50,000 HORSE Championship, which drew a meager 95 players in 2009 after having 148 in 2008.
Also new on the docket in 2010 is a $25,000 buy-in No Limit Hold’em Six-Handed event that starts on June 30th. Many in the industry have questioned WSOP officials introducing a richer No Limit Hold’em tournament than the Main Event, whose buy-in is only $10,000. Nevertheless, the $25,000 Six-Handed contest is sure to attract some of the top names in the worlds of live and online poker.
All cell phones must be turned off during play. However, as the WSOP regulations note, “Players not involved in a hand (cards in muck) shall be permitted to text/email at the table, but shall not be permitted to text/email any other player at the table.” Twittering of chip counts and memorable hands were staples of the 2009 WSOP, when the social media outlet exploded in popularity. Even poker legends like 10-time bracelet winner Doyle Brunson have become engulfed in Twitter, with “Texas Dolly” now able to spit out additional blonde jokes while seated at the table of any 2010 WSOP event.
Any players who wish to talk on their cell phones must be at least one table length away from their seats while gabbing. Meanwhile, the WSOP logo policy in 2010 will remain the same as it was in 2009. No logo will be permitted that promotes drugs, handguns, lotteries, obscene material, pornography, libel, or “advertises any online gaming site that conducts business with U.S. residents.” Nearly every logo shown on ESPN television cameras in 2009 featured the dot-net version of the site’s URL. Meanwhile, Everest Poker, which had sponsored pro Antoine Saout at the final table of the 2009 Main Event, served as the on-felt sponsor of the tournament series. Everest Poker does not accept players from the United States.
Posters on TwoPlusTwo were quick to critique the 2010 WSOP rules, which incorporated revisions made by the Tournament Directors Association. One point of contention concerned late registration. The rule reads, “Any player registering for an event after all initial tables allocated for that tournament have been filled will begin play at the start of the subsequent level.” In the WSOP Main Event, for example, that could mean a player sitting out as long as two hours, the length of one blind level.
Fans of UB.com poker bad boy Phil Hellmuth may see the 11-time bracelet winner show up on time in 2010 thanks to a rule that governs “no shows,” players who fail to show up by the start of the third level of play. The rule mandates, “These players will have their chips removed from play and will not be eligible to participate in that event. The buy-ins for ‘no shows’ will be removed from the prize pool and placed on safekeeping in that player’s name at the main WSOP registration cage after the second level of play.”
Some posters on TwoPlusTwo questioned whether the “no show” clause meant that if a player saw they had a tough table draw, they could simply un-register by not showing up. Member “pineapple888” explained the dilemma: “It seems like you can register, wander by your table an hour into the event, and if there are too many pros/tough players for your liking, or there aren't enough chips on the table, or whatever (no hot chicks at the table or railbirding), just wander away and claim your refund later without penalty.”
The action gets underway in the 2010 WSOP with the annual $500 buy-in Casino Employees No Limit Hold’em event on May 28th. Also to be held on that date is the brand new $50,000 buy-in Player’s Championship, an Eight-Game mix of Limit Hold'em, Omaha High-Low Split Eight or Better, Seven Card Razz, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud High-Low Split Eight or Better, No Limit Hold'em, Pot Limit Omaha, and 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball. It takes the place of the $50,000 HORSE Championship, which drew a meager 95 players in 2009 after having 148 in 2008.
Also new on the docket in 2010 is a $25,000 buy-in No Limit Hold’em Six-Handed event that starts on June 30th. Many in the industry have questioned WSOP officials introducing a richer No Limit Hold’em tournament than the Main Event, whose buy-in is only $10,000. Nevertheless, the $25,000 Six-Handed contest is sure to attract some of the top names in the worlds of live and online poker.
Caesars Atlantic City Bad Beat Jackpot Hit for $553,958
Dover native Steven Gedney hit a record-shattering Bad Beat Jackpot at Caesars Atlantic City of $553,958 last Friday. The behemoth prize pool dwarfed the former largest jackpot of $361,244 and Gedney raked in $276,979 as a result of the beat.
Joe Domenico, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Caesars Atlantic City, commented in a press release distributed by the East Coast casino, "This is an unforgettable day for everyone at Caesars, especially our loyal players and dedicated poker team. The energy building in our poker room over these past months has been incredible and to see it culminate in this record-setting jackpot couldn't be more rewarding.”
Gedney held quad threes in the memorable hand, normally a stone cold lock to scoop any pot. However, in what was likely a mix of dismay and excitement, Gedney watched as his opponent, Chris Dobrzanski, flipped up four aces, triggering the Bad Beat Jackpot. Although dropping the $400 pot, Gedney hauled in a massive $276,979 prize for suffering the bad beat. Dobrzanski, meanwhile, hauled in the $400 spoils and added another $138,489 for dishing out the misfortune. The table was nine-handed, meaning that the other seven players seated each earned $19,784 for paying witness to history, enough to buy a new car just in time for final 2009 year-end closeouts.
Under the terms of the Caesars Atlantic City Bad Beat Jackpot, four of a kind must go down in smoke to a superior hand. Half of the Bad Beat Jackpot is awarded to the losing player in the hand, 25% is given to the winning player, and the remaining 25% is divided equally among the other players dealt to at the table when the bad beat occurred. In 2008, the Caesars Atlantic City poker room awarded nearly $1.2 million in Bad Beat Jackpot money and is well on its way to surpassing that amount this year.
As of January 11th, the Caesars Palace Bad Beat Jackpot stood at $529,436, meaning that it grew by $25,000 last week alone before being hit on Friday. At Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, the Bad Beat Jackpot was $352,873 last Monday. At Showboat, the purse for doling out a bad beat was $118,970 one week ago and, at Bally’s, the bounty stood at $137,493. After being hit on Friday, the Caesars Palace Bad Beat Jackpot sat at $152,000 today at Noon ET.
The Caesars Palace Atlantic City poker room sports 20 tables and 50-inch plasma televisions to allow players to keep up-to-date on the latest in the world of sports. The casino spreads favorites like $1/$2, $2/$5, and $5/$10 No Limit Hold’em and $2/$4, $3/$6, and $4/$8 Limit Hold’em. The venue is ramping up to host a World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit Event in March. The action kicks off in Atlantic City on March 3rd and concludes with a Ladies No Limit Hold’em tournament on March 14th. The $5,150 buy-in Caesars Atlantic City Circuit Championship, a three-day affair, will begin dealing cards on March 12th.
Here is the schedule of events for the Caesars Atlantic City Circuit stop in March:
Wednesday, March 3rd at 12:00pm ET
Event #1: No Limit Hold'em
$340 buy-in
Thursday, March 4th at 12:00pm ET
Event #2: No Limit Hold'em
$590 buy-in
Friday, March 5th at 12:00pm ET
Event #3: No Limit Hold'em
$340 buy-in
Saturday, March 6th at 12:00pm ET
Event #4: No Limit Hold'em
$560 buy-in
Sunday, March 7th at 12:00pm ET
Event #5: No Limit Hold'em
$340 buy-in
Monday, March 8th at 12:00pm ET
Event #6: No Limit Hold'em
$560 buy-in
Tuesday, March 9th at 12:00pm ET
Event #7: No Limit Hold'em
$1,080 buy-in
Wednesday, March 10th at 12:00pm ET
Event #8: Deep Stack
$1,600 buy-in
Thursday, March 11th at 12:00pm ET
Event #9: Turbo
$230 buy-in
Friday, March 12th at 12:00pm ET
Event #10: Caesars Atlantic City Championship Event
$5,150 buy-in
Saturday, March 13th at 12:00pm ET
Event 11: Turbo
$230 buy-in
Sunday, March 14th at 12:00pm ET
Event #12: Ladies No Limit Hold'em
$230 buy-in
Joe Domenico, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Caesars Atlantic City, commented in a press release distributed by the East Coast casino, "This is an unforgettable day for everyone at Caesars, especially our loyal players and dedicated poker team. The energy building in our poker room over these past months has been incredible and to see it culminate in this record-setting jackpot couldn't be more rewarding.”
Gedney held quad threes in the memorable hand, normally a stone cold lock to scoop any pot. However, in what was likely a mix of dismay and excitement, Gedney watched as his opponent, Chris Dobrzanski, flipped up four aces, triggering the Bad Beat Jackpot. Although dropping the $400 pot, Gedney hauled in a massive $276,979 prize for suffering the bad beat. Dobrzanski, meanwhile, hauled in the $400 spoils and added another $138,489 for dishing out the misfortune. The table was nine-handed, meaning that the other seven players seated each earned $19,784 for paying witness to history, enough to buy a new car just in time for final 2009 year-end closeouts.
Under the terms of the Caesars Atlantic City Bad Beat Jackpot, four of a kind must go down in smoke to a superior hand. Half of the Bad Beat Jackpot is awarded to the losing player in the hand, 25% is given to the winning player, and the remaining 25% is divided equally among the other players dealt to at the table when the bad beat occurred. In 2008, the Caesars Atlantic City poker room awarded nearly $1.2 million in Bad Beat Jackpot money and is well on its way to surpassing that amount this year.
As of January 11th, the Caesars Palace Bad Beat Jackpot stood at $529,436, meaning that it grew by $25,000 last week alone before being hit on Friday. At Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, the Bad Beat Jackpot was $352,873 last Monday. At Showboat, the purse for doling out a bad beat was $118,970 one week ago and, at Bally’s, the bounty stood at $137,493. After being hit on Friday, the Caesars Palace Bad Beat Jackpot sat at $152,000 today at Noon ET.
The Caesars Palace Atlantic City poker room sports 20 tables and 50-inch plasma televisions to allow players to keep up-to-date on the latest in the world of sports. The casino spreads favorites like $1/$2, $2/$5, and $5/$10 No Limit Hold’em and $2/$4, $3/$6, and $4/$8 Limit Hold’em. The venue is ramping up to host a World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit Event in March. The action kicks off in Atlantic City on March 3rd and concludes with a Ladies No Limit Hold’em tournament on March 14th. The $5,150 buy-in Caesars Atlantic City Circuit Championship, a three-day affair, will begin dealing cards on March 12th.
Here is the schedule of events for the Caesars Atlantic City Circuit stop in March:
Wednesday, March 3rd at 12:00pm ET
Event #1: No Limit Hold'em
$340 buy-in
Thursday, March 4th at 12:00pm ET
Event #2: No Limit Hold'em
$590 buy-in
Friday, March 5th at 12:00pm ET
Event #3: No Limit Hold'em
$340 buy-in
Saturday, March 6th at 12:00pm ET
Event #4: No Limit Hold'em
$560 buy-in
Sunday, March 7th at 12:00pm ET
Event #5: No Limit Hold'em
$340 buy-in
Monday, March 8th at 12:00pm ET
Event #6: No Limit Hold'em
$560 buy-in
Tuesday, March 9th at 12:00pm ET
Event #7: No Limit Hold'em
$1,080 buy-in
Wednesday, March 10th at 12:00pm ET
Event #8: Deep Stack
$1,600 buy-in
Thursday, March 11th at 12:00pm ET
Event #9: Turbo
$230 buy-in
Friday, March 12th at 12:00pm ET
Event #10: Caesars Atlantic City Championship Event
$5,150 buy-in
Saturday, March 13th at 12:00pm ET
Event 11: Turbo
$230 buy-in
Sunday, March 14th at 12:00pm ET
Event #12: Ladies No Limit Hold'em
$230 buy-in
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Omaha Hi Low
How to play Omaha hi low.Omaha hi low is the world's second most popular poker game. One reasons for the popularity of Omaha hi low (also know as many variations of the name like Omaha 8 or better, Omaha high low, Omaha 8b, or Omaha high low split etc.) is that you are initially dealt four hole cards to play instead of just two as in Texas holdem, so players find a lot of hands to play. Creating a lot more action around the game. Lots of action equals bigger pots. Here we will be reviewing how to play Omaha hi low and basic strategy.
Basic Play
Omaha is a high low split game. Players start with four "down" cards. Players share five "community" cards (which are dealt face-up in the center of the table). You MUST use two and only two of your four "down" cards and three out of five "up" community cards to form your best hand (either for the high or low or both). There is no qualifying on the "High" side - the best high hand automatically wins half the pot and could win the whole pot if no low qualify. To win the "Low" side of the pot, however, you must qualify (which is why the game is named Omaha "8 or Better").
Usually there are two types of Omaha hi low games played:
Limit Omaha 8 or Better (there is a specific betting limit applied in each game and on each round of betting) Pot Limit Omaha 8 or Better (A player can bet what is in the pot.)
To Qualify for low
It takes a five-card hand with no card higher than an eight, and no two of those cards paired (different numerical values from Ace through eight, with the Ace being the lowest) to qualify for the "Low"and possibly half of the pot. Straights and flushes do not count against you for low. The best "Low" hand is A-2-3- 4- 5 (also known as the "wheel" or "bicycle"). The worst possible low 8-7-6-5-4. The winning "Low" hand goes to the player with the lowest high card. For example, if the board was A-3-4-K-9 and a player with hole cards 2-6-10-Q would have a better "Low" hand than someone with an 2-7-K-K. If two or more players have the same high card, the player with the second lowest card (or third, fourth, or fifth if necessary) in their hand wins the low side of the pot. Low hands can not have even a small pair such as 2-2 this would automatically qualify for the high only. This all sound harder than it really is. Here is a little tip to remember: If three unpaired cards are not on the board then there can not be a low and you could continue to play a normal 5 card high hand. Example: if the board was 2-2-3-3-2 no low is possible even though there are 3 cards lower than eight but non of them unpaired. Q: What would be the best low hand with a board of 2-7-J-10-6 ? Answer at the bottom of this page!
Betting
In Omaha the deal rotates clockwise with the use of a button (see glossary). Before the game begins the first two players seated to the left of the button must post blinds. Blinds are forced bets by the first two players directly to the left of the button. It is called a blind because the players must invest money in to the hand before they can look at there cards. The first player seated to the left of the button post (place in front of them) the small blind (bet). The small blind is usually but not always a bet half the size of the first betting amount. Example: If a game has a $2 -$4 structure. This means the first two rounds of betting bets and raises are $2 and the last 2 rounds, bets and raises are $4. The small blind here would be $1. The second player to the left of the button post the big blind usually equal to the amount of the first betting round. As in the example above it would be $2. After the blinds are posted four private cards one at a time are dealt face down (hole cards) to each player and then a round of betting begins again.
Hole Card
The structure and initial setup are almost exactly the same in Omaha as in Texas Holdem except the player is dealt four hole cards face down. This distinction is where Omaha differs from Holdem in that you are in Holdem allowed to use one, both,or neither of your hole cards in putting together your final hand. In Omaha you must use two and exactly two of the four cards in your hand, along with three and exactly three of the five community (board) cards. For example: in Holdem if the 5 community cards create a straight or a flush you can ignore your hole cards and play the 5 board cards as your final hand or include one or both hole cards to improve the hand for a higher flush or straight. Often all the active players if there hand is beat will play the board and end up splitting the pot because all end up with the same hand.
In Omaha that flush or straight on the board does not give you a flush or straight unless two of the four cards in your hand allow you to complete a flush or straight. For example: If the board (community cards) is J-8-9-10-7 and your hole cards are A-6-7-A you will use your 6-7 and the 8-9-10 for a 10 high straight even though initially you where playing your Pair of Aces. This might not be the highest hand and win the pot but it is still a playable hand. Since the board does not have three small cards 8 or under there is now qualifying low.
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First Round of Betting
In limit Omaha there are four rounds of betting. The first player to act is the player seated the left of the big blind. Technically since the first two players where required to bet via the blinds. They acted first and second but the first player to bet and make a voluntary decision is the third player. (Note: After the first round of betting the player to the left of the button is to act first). This is where the player will take extreme precautions to look at there cards privately (for online poker this is not required ) and begin assessing the strength of there hand. This player can stay in the game by either calling (matching) the big blinds bet, or raising (double the big blinds bet) by the unit structure or fold by releasing there two cards to the dealer face down. The next players to act has the same three options. This continues until all players have made a decision The players that posted blinds also have the option to raise the bet. The small blind may stay in this round only by adding an additional bet bringing his total equal to the big blind or the amount of all raises. In Omaha there are so many possibilities the pot begins to grow quit fast.
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The Flop - Second Round of Betting
The first round is over and the second begins with the dealer placing 3 face up community cards in the middle of the table (or screen for online poker). This action is called the flop just as in Holdem. These cards may be used by all players for the duration of the of this round to create there best hand with there 2 out of 4 hole cards (private cards).The first player to the left of the button that hasn't folded acts first. Betting begins again in the same fashion as the first round. They may bet call, raise or fold.
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The Turn - Third Round of Betting
The third round of betting begins with the dealer placing another (fourth card) community card in the center of the table called the turn card or fourth street. The betting increment now have been doubled. The Betting starts all over again starting the first player to the left of the button that hasn't folded acts first again. This card either helped or it did not and the player must assess their hand again to determine weather they should bet, call, raise or fold there hand.
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The River - Fourth and Final Round of Betting
The fourth round of betting begins with the dealer placing the final (fifth card) community card in the center of the table called the river. Again each player must assess their hand again to determine weather they should bet, call, raise or fold there hand. After all betting is complete and the remaining players must reveal (the showdown) there hands by placing there four private cards face up in front of them. Although many players can quickly know that they won or have been beaten, the dealer will determine the pot winner (all the chips from the four rounds of betting or 1/2 if a low qualifies). Omaha is sometimes hard to quickly determine the winner or split do to the murid of winning combinations. Do not always rely on the dealer for they may have made a mistake. Always review your opponents hands to determine the winner for yourself.
Basic Play
Omaha is a high low split game. Players start with four "down" cards. Players share five "community" cards (which are dealt face-up in the center of the table). You MUST use two and only two of your four "down" cards and three out of five "up" community cards to form your best hand (either for the high or low or both). There is no qualifying on the "High" side - the best high hand automatically wins half the pot and could win the whole pot if no low qualify. To win the "Low" side of the pot, however, you must qualify (which is why the game is named Omaha "8 or Better").
Usually there are two types of Omaha hi low games played:
Limit Omaha 8 or Better (there is a specific betting limit applied in each game and on each round of betting) Pot Limit Omaha 8 or Better (A player can bet what is in the pot.)
To Qualify for low
It takes a five-card hand with no card higher than an eight, and no two of those cards paired (different numerical values from Ace through eight, with the Ace being the lowest) to qualify for the "Low"and possibly half of the pot. Straights and flushes do not count against you for low. The best "Low" hand is A-2-3- 4- 5 (also known as the "wheel" or "bicycle"). The worst possible low 8-7-6-5-4. The winning "Low" hand goes to the player with the lowest high card. For example, if the board was A-3-4-K-9 and a player with hole cards 2-6-10-Q would have a better "Low" hand than someone with an 2-7-K-K. If two or more players have the same high card, the player with the second lowest card (or third, fourth, or fifth if necessary) in their hand wins the low side of the pot. Low hands can not have even a small pair such as 2-2 this would automatically qualify for the high only. This all sound harder than it really is. Here is a little tip to remember: If three unpaired cards are not on the board then there can not be a low and you could continue to play a normal 5 card high hand. Example: if the board was 2-2-3-3-2 no low is possible even though there are 3 cards lower than eight but non of them unpaired. Q: What would be the best low hand with a board of 2-7-J-10-6 ? Answer at the bottom of this page!
Betting
In Omaha the deal rotates clockwise with the use of a button (see glossary). Before the game begins the first two players seated to the left of the button must post blinds. Blinds are forced bets by the first two players directly to the left of the button. It is called a blind because the players must invest money in to the hand before they can look at there cards. The first player seated to the left of the button post (place in front of them) the small blind (bet). The small blind is usually but not always a bet half the size of the first betting amount. Example: If a game has a $2 -$4 structure. This means the first two rounds of betting bets and raises are $2 and the last 2 rounds, bets and raises are $4. The small blind here would be $1. The second player to the left of the button post the big blind usually equal to the amount of the first betting round. As in the example above it would be $2. After the blinds are posted four private cards one at a time are dealt face down (hole cards) to each player and then a round of betting begins again.
Hole Card
The structure and initial setup are almost exactly the same in Omaha as in Texas Holdem except the player is dealt four hole cards face down. This distinction is where Omaha differs from Holdem in that you are in Holdem allowed to use one, both,or neither of your hole cards in putting together your final hand. In Omaha you must use two and exactly two of the four cards in your hand, along with three and exactly three of the five community (board) cards. For example: in Holdem if the 5 community cards create a straight or a flush you can ignore your hole cards and play the 5 board cards as your final hand or include one or both hole cards to improve the hand for a higher flush or straight. Often all the active players if there hand is beat will play the board and end up splitting the pot because all end up with the same hand.
In Omaha that flush or straight on the board does not give you a flush or straight unless two of the four cards in your hand allow you to complete a flush or straight. For example: If the board (community cards) is J-8-9-10-7 and your hole cards are A-6-7-A you will use your 6-7 and the 8-9-10 for a 10 high straight even though initially you where playing your Pair of Aces. This might not be the highest hand and win the pot but it is still a playable hand. Since the board does not have three small cards 8 or under there is now qualifying low.
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First Round of Betting
In limit Omaha there are four rounds of betting. The first player to act is the player seated the left of the big blind. Technically since the first two players where required to bet via the blinds. They acted first and second but the first player to bet and make a voluntary decision is the third player. (Note: After the first round of betting the player to the left of the button is to act first). This is where the player will take extreme precautions to look at there cards privately (for online poker this is not required ) and begin assessing the strength of there hand. This player can stay in the game by either calling (matching) the big blinds bet, or raising (double the big blinds bet) by the unit structure or fold by releasing there two cards to the dealer face down. The next players to act has the same three options. This continues until all players have made a decision The players that posted blinds also have the option to raise the bet. The small blind may stay in this round only by adding an additional bet bringing his total equal to the big blind or the amount of all raises. In Omaha there are so many possibilities the pot begins to grow quit fast.
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The Flop - Second Round of Betting
The first round is over and the second begins with the dealer placing 3 face up community cards in the middle of the table (or screen for online poker). This action is called the flop just as in Holdem. These cards may be used by all players for the duration of the of this round to create there best hand with there 2 out of 4 hole cards (private cards).The first player to the left of the button that hasn't folded acts first. Betting begins again in the same fashion as the first round. They may bet call, raise or fold.
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The Turn - Third Round of Betting
The third round of betting begins with the dealer placing another (fourth card) community card in the center of the table called the turn card or fourth street. The betting increment now have been doubled. The Betting starts all over again starting the first player to the left of the button that hasn't folded acts first again. This card either helped or it did not and the player must assess their hand again to determine weather they should bet, call, raise or fold there hand.
Back to the top
The River - Fourth and Final Round of Betting
The fourth round of betting begins with the dealer placing the final (fifth card) community card in the center of the table called the river. Again each player must assess their hand again to determine weather they should bet, call, raise or fold there hand. After all betting is complete and the remaining players must reveal (the showdown) there hands by placing there four private cards face up in front of them. Although many players can quickly know that they won or have been beaten, the dealer will determine the pot winner (all the chips from the four rounds of betting or 1/2 if a low qualifies). Omaha is sometimes hard to quickly determine the winner or split do to the murid of winning combinations. Do not always rely on the dealer for they may have made a mistake. Always review your opponents hands to determine the winner for yourself.
How to Play Stud 8 or Better Poker
Before the deal, each player has to put up an ante.
Step 2Each players is dealt three cards. Two cards are face down and one is face up. The lowest card is forced to make a bet known as the bring-in. The bring in is typically double the ante. The player also has the option to complete to a full bet. For example, in a $2-4 Stud 8 game with a 50 cent ante, the bring-in is $1 and the completion is $2. If the bring-in player does not complete the bet, then the next player has the option to either call the bring in, or to complete to the full bet amount. Once a completion has been made, then subsequent raising shall occur in increments of the full bet amount. Also, in the even that two players have the lowest card, the player with the lowest suit is the bring-in. Suit ranks from low to high are clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades.
Step 3The next card is dealt face up. This is known as fourth street. Betting then starts with the player showing the highest hand. From fourth street until showdown, the high hand showing will have the option of opening the betting. If more than one player has a high hand, then the player closest to the dealer begins the betting. In Stud 8, a player may not make a double bet with an open pair on fourth street.
Step 4The next card is dealt face up. This is known as fifth street. Betting doubles from this point until the end. In a $2-$4 game, the betting would now be in $4 increments.
Step 5The next card is dealt face up. This is known as sixth street. Another round of betting occurs.
Step 6The last card is dealt face down. This is known as seventh street, or the river. One final round of betting occurs.
Step 7After the last round of betting, hands are then shown. The highest hand wins half the pot. If there is a qualifying low hand, then that hand wins the low side of the pot. A qualifying low hand is a hand containing five unique cards eight and lower. Straights and flushes do not count against a low hand. Ace is played high or low. The lowest low hand is the wheel, which is A-2-3-4-5. In the event there is more than one low hand, the low side is split. If nobody holds a low hand, then the high hand wins the entire pot.
Step 2Each players is dealt three cards. Two cards are face down and one is face up. The lowest card is forced to make a bet known as the bring-in. The bring in is typically double the ante. The player also has the option to complete to a full bet. For example, in a $2-4 Stud 8 game with a 50 cent ante, the bring-in is $1 and the completion is $2. If the bring-in player does not complete the bet, then the next player has the option to either call the bring in, or to complete to the full bet amount. Once a completion has been made, then subsequent raising shall occur in increments of the full bet amount. Also, in the even that two players have the lowest card, the player with the lowest suit is the bring-in. Suit ranks from low to high are clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades.
Step 3The next card is dealt face up. This is known as fourth street. Betting then starts with the player showing the highest hand. From fourth street until showdown, the high hand showing will have the option of opening the betting. If more than one player has a high hand, then the player closest to the dealer begins the betting. In Stud 8, a player may not make a double bet with an open pair on fourth street.
Step 4The next card is dealt face up. This is known as fifth street. Betting doubles from this point until the end. In a $2-$4 game, the betting would now be in $4 increments.
Step 5The next card is dealt face up. This is known as sixth street. Another round of betting occurs.
Step 6The last card is dealt face down. This is known as seventh street, or the river. One final round of betting occurs.
Step 7After the last round of betting, hands are then shown. The highest hand wins half the pot. If there is a qualifying low hand, then that hand wins the low side of the pot. A qualifying low hand is a hand containing five unique cards eight and lower. Straights and flushes do not count against a low hand. Ace is played high or low. The lowest low hand is the wheel, which is A-2-3-4-5. In the event there is more than one low hand, the low side is split. If nobody holds a low hand, then the high hand wins the entire pot.
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