Courchevel poker: rules and strategy
Courchevel is a five-card Omaha variant with one twist: the first card of the flop is dealt face up before the preflop betting. Everyone sees one board card while deciding whether to play their hand. It’s usually played pot-limit, in a high-only or hi-lo version. You still use exactly two hole cards and three board cards.
How a hand runs
Section titled “How a hand runs”- Each player gets five hole cards.
- One community card is turned face up.
- Preflop betting.
- Two more cards complete the flop; then turn and river as usual, with a betting round each time.
See Omaha rules and PLO5.
Why the early card matters
Section titled “Why the early card matters”You already know one-fifth of the board before investing. So:
- Hand selection improves: play hands that connect with the exposed card (pairs that make a set with it, suited cards matching its suit, connected cards around it).
- Everyone else knows it too: if the card is an ace, many players will hold aces and two-pair or set chances.
- Big hands are common: sets and nut draws appear often; second-best hands pay off.
Strategy tips
Section titled “Strategy tips”- Prefer hands that make the nuts with the exposed card.
- Count blockers: if you hold cards that match the exposed card, opponents are less likely to have them.
- Play tighter early: pots grow fast in pot-limit with five cards.
- In hi-lo versions, a low exposed card (A–5) makes low hands more likely; scoop-capable hands become key. See Big O.
See also the nuts and blockers.
What is Courchevel poker?
Section titled “What is Courchevel poker?”A five-card Omaha variant where the first flop card is shown before preflop betting.
Is Courchevel high-only or hi-lo?
Section titled “Is Courchevel high-only or hi-lo?”Both versions exist; it is usually played pot-limit.
How does the exposed card change strategy?
Section titled “How does the exposed card change strategy?”You can choose hands that connect with it, but everyone else sees it too, so strong hands are common.
How many hole cards do you use in Courchevel?
Section titled “How many hole cards do you use in Courchevel?”Exactly two of your five, with three board cards.