How to Play Omaha Burn

Omaha Burn is a popular Omaha variant that can be played with up to 11 players and will often have fairly large pots since all losing players who go to showdown will have to match the pot value (otherwise known as burning).

Rules & Instructions for Omaha Burn

The game is fairly straightforward and played just like the standard version of Omaha Poker. Each player will ante into the pot, followed by receiving four cards down. With each player having their hole cards, the dealer can then deal five community cards face down.

The first betting round will take place after all of the cards, including community cards have been dealt. Once betting has finished the dealer will flip the first three cards and another betting round will take place starting with the first player to the left of the dealer still involved in the game. The dealer will then turn over the 4th community card, followed by a 3rd betting round.

Unlike Omaha where the dealer would normally turn the last card over, he will instead ask the table if they will be “burning”. Using a drop system similar to Guts Poker, each player would place a chip in their hand if they want to stay in, and each player will place their fist on the table and drop when instructed. Any player who chooses not to burn will fold their hand. The last card will be flipped over and a final betting round will take place. The winner will take the pot, while all losing players will match the pot for their burn. The new pot will be used towards the next round and the game will start over again with each player ante into the new pot.

Important Notes About Burning/Match Pots

Since each player who decides to burn will be forced to match the pot, the amount of the pot can grow quite high. For this reason it’s usually good to set a cap at how much a player will be forced to pay. As an example suppose the is cap $10, the player will pay the pot value up to $10 and no more. Although this doesn’t seem like a lot, if four players were to burn and lose, the next pot would be $40 before the antes. Without the cap, a pot like that could easily climb to a few hundred or more if 3 – 4 players were to lose each round. Setting a cap will keep the game affordable and fun.

Omaha Burn with High Low

Omaha Burns can also be played 8 or better. Having two pots means more players will stay in the hand and choose to “burn” since the majority of Omaha players will often chase their low hands. We have a great Omaha strategy guide with a few articles that could help you with some basic tips and strategies for playing Omaha Hi Lo. If you do play the 8 or better version, your best strategy is to choose your starting hands carefully so you can scoop both pots.

Omaha Burn can take a long time to play as there is usually always a player who decides to burn and lose. To end the game either set a time limit, or choose to have so many deals around the table. The only way to officially end the game is if by chance only one player decides to drop and scoops the pot.

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