Official Poker Rules BoardDocument OPR-111 · Updated 28 September 2026

Game rules · Community card

Six Card Omaha Rules

Six Card Omaha is Omaha with six hole cards per player instead of four. Every hand must still be made from exactly two hole cards and exactly three of the five community cards, over the usual four betting rounds. It is usually played pot-limit, for high only, though a high-low version exists.

Also known as 6 Card Omaha, Six-Card PLO, 6-Card PLO

Players: 2 to 7 (often 6-max)
Hole cards: 6 per player
Community cards: 5
Betting rounds: 4
Usual structure: Pot-limit

Article 1Objective and equipment

1.1

Six Card Omaha is a form of Omaha in which each player receives six hole cards. The object is to win the pot with the best hand at showdown, or by making a bet that no other player calls.

1.2

The game is played with a standard 52-card deck with no jokers and no wild cards. Hands are ranked according to the standard poker hand rankings.

1.3

Between two and seven players may take part. Seven players use 42 hole cards, which leaves enough for the five community cards and three burn cards. Eight players would need 48 hole cards, which is too many. Tables of six or fewer are common.

1.4

Six Card Omaha is sometimes grouped with Five Card Omaha under the name Big O.

Article 2The blinds and the deal

2.1

The button, blinds and order of action are the same as in Omaha and Texas Hold'em. The player to the left of the button posts the small blind and the next player to the left posts the big blind.

2.2

The dealer deals the cards one at a time, face down and clockwise, starting with the small blind, until each player has six hole cards.

2.3

Players shall keep their hole cards concealed from the other players until the showdown.

Article 3Betting rounds

Round	Cards dealt	First to act
Pre-flop	6 hole cards to each player	The player to the left of the big blind
Flop	3 community cards	First active player to the left of the button
Turn	1 community card	First active player to the left of the button
River	1 community card	First active player to the left of the button

3.1

A card is burned before the flop, the turn and the river.

3.2

The game is usually played pot-limit. Other structures are possible; see betting structures.

Article 4Making a hand

4.1

Each player's hand shall be made from exactly two of their six hole cards and exactly three of the five community cards.

4.2

The four unused hole cards and the two unused community cards have no effect on the value of the hand.

4.3

A flush requires at least three community cards of one suit. A straight requires at least three community cards that fit within it. A board with no pair makes four of a kind and full houses impossible.

Example

A full house beats three of a kind

Board: J♥10♥5♣5♠2♦

Player A holds Q♥9♥5♦A♥3♣K♠. The board has only two hearts, so A has no flush, and no two of A's cards complete a straight with three board cards. A's best hand uses 5♦A♥ with 5♣5♠J♥: three fives with an ace and a jack.

Player B holds J♣J♠4♥4♦7♣8♠. B uses J♣J♠ with J♥5♣5♠ for a full house, jacks full of fives. B wins the pot.

Article 5The high-low version

5.1

Six Card Omaha may also be played high-low eight-or-better. The low rules are the same as in Omaha Hi-Lo: a qualifying low has five cards of different ranks, none higher than an eight, and aces count low.

5.2

A player may use different hole cards and different community cards for high and for low, but each hand must use exactly two hole cards and exactly three community cards.

5.3

If no player has a qualifying low, the best high hand wins the whole pot.

Example

Two hole cards for high, two others for low

Board: 7♠4♦2♣K♣K♠

Player A holds A♥3♥K♦Q♦9♣8♣. For high, A uses A♥K♦ with K♣K♠7♠ for three kings with an ace and a seven. For low, A uses A♥3♥ with 7♠4♦2♣ for 7-4-3-2-A.

If no other player beats either hand, A wins both halves of the pot. This is called scooping.

Article 6Showdown

6.1

The order of showing and the other showdown procedures are the same as in Omaha.

6.2

The cards speak. A player who shows all six hole cards is entitled to the best hand those cards can make under Rule 4.1, whatever the player declares.

6.3

If two players hold equal five-card hands, the pot or that half of the pot is split equally.

Article 8Frequently asked questions

How many cards do you use in Six Card Omaha?

You are dealt six hole cards but must use exactly two of them, together with exactly three of the five community cards.

How many players can play Six Card Omaha?

No more than seven. Seven players take 42 cards, leaving enough for the board and burn cards. Games are often run six-handed.

Are hands stronger in Six Card Omaha than in normal Omaha?

Yes. With six hole cards each player has fifteen different two-card combinations instead of six, so straights, flushes and full houses are made more often and the winning hand is usually stronger.

Can Six Card Omaha be played high-low?

Yes. The high-low version uses the same eight-or-better low rules as Omaha Hi-Lo. If no low qualifies, the high hand wins the whole pot.

Final authority

Where any doubt remains in the application of this document, Rob is right.

Hand rankings, high to low: royal flush · straight flush · four of a kind · full house · flush · straight · three of a kind · two pair · one pair · high card. Suits never break ties.

Six Card Omaha Rules · OPR-111 · officialpokerrules.com/six-card-omaha/

OPR-111Uncontrolled when printed