How to Play: Dramaha – A-5
Aliases: Dramaha Lowball
Description:
Omaha / A-5 Poker is an engaging variant that combines the strategic gameplay of Omaha poker with the unique lowball format of A-5. In this game, players aim to create the best traditional Omaha high hand and the best A-5 lowball hand, offering an exciting split-pot format.
Objective
The objective of Omaha / A-5 Poker is to have the best high hand (Omaha) and the best low hand (A-5 lowball) at the end of the final betting round. The pot is split between the best high hand and the best low hand.
Setup
Omaha / A-5 Poker is played with a standard 52-card deck and can accommodate 2 to 10 players. Each player is dealt four private cards (hole cards), and five community cards are dealt face-up on the ‘board’. Players use these shared community cards in conjunction with their own hole cards to form their best possible hands.
Gameplay
1. The Deal
Each player is dealt four hole cards face down. The dealer then deals five community cards face up in three stages: the flop (three cards), the turn (one card), and the river (one card).
2. Betting Rounds
There are four betting rounds in Omaha / A-5 Poker:
- Pre-Flop: After players receive their hole cards, a round of betting ensues.
- Flop: The first three community cards are revealed, followed by another round of betting.
- Turn: The fourth community card is revealed, followed by a third round of betting.
- River: The fifth and final community card is revealed, followed by the final round of betting.
3. The Showdown
After the final betting round, if more than one player remains, a showdown occurs. Players reveal their hole cards and form their best high hand (Omaha) using exactly two of their hole cards and three of the community cards and best low hand (A-5 lowball) using all 5 of their hole cards. The pot is split between the best high hand and the best low hand.
Hand Rankings
Omaha hand rankings follow traditional poker rules:
- Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10, all of the same suit.
- Straight Flush: Five cards in a sequence, all of the same suit.
- Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank.
- Full House: Three of a kind combined with a pair.
- Flush: Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence.
- Straight: Five cards in a sequence, not all of the same suit.
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank.
- Two Pair: Two different pairs.
- One Pair: Two cards of the same rank.
- High Card: The highest card wins if no one has any of the above hands.
A-5 lowball hand rankings are based on the lowest possible hand, with Aces always counting as 1 and straights and flushes not counting against the hand:
- Best hand: 5-4-3-2-A (known as a “wheel”).
- Next best: Any other combination where the highest card is as low as possible.
Winning the Game
The game continues until players decide to stop or until a predetermined number of rounds have been played. The player with the most chips at the end of the game is declared the winner.
Conclusion
Omaha / A-5 Poker offers a unique twist on traditional poker by combining elements of Omaha and A-5 lowball. Whether you are a seasoned poker player or new to the game, Omaha / A-5 Poker provides a fun and challenging experience.
Game Type: Flop, turn and river
Split Game: Yes
Cards Dealt: 5
Max Players: 7
Best Possible Hand(s):
