Courchevel Poker
Courchevel is a poker variant based on Omaha, with five private cards and a unique twist: the first community card is dealt before the pre-flop betting round.
Each player receives five private cards, known as hole cards. Five community cards are dealt face-up on the board, and players must use exactly two hole cards and exactly three community cards to make their best five-card poker hand.
New to poker hand rankings? Visit our Poker Hands page to learn more.
How to Play Courchevel
Courchevel follows the core rules of Omaha, with one key difference: the first community card is dealt face-up before the pre-flop betting round begins.
The game uses a standard button and blind structure. The small blind and big blind are posted by the players in the positions immediately clockwise from the dealer button. The action starts with the player to the left of the big blind.
A hand progresses through the following stages:
Pre-flop
Each player receives five hole cards, and one community card is dealt face-up. Players can then fold, call or raise, depending on the betting structure.
Flop
The remaining two cards of the flop are dealt face-up, completing the three-card flop. A new betting round begins with the first active player to the left of the button.
Turn
The fourth community card is dealt face-up, followed by another betting round.
River
The fifth and final community card is dealt face-up. Players then take part in the final betting round.
Showdown
If two or more players remain after the final betting round, their hands are compared. The player with the best five-card hand wins the pot.
Remember, you must use exactly two of your five hole cards and exactly three community cards. If players have identical winning hands, the pot is split equally. Once the pot is awarded, the dealer button moves clockwise to the next player and a new hand begins.
Types of Courchevel Poker
Courchevel is available in three betting formats, each with different rules for how much you can wager.
- Limit Courchevel: Bets and raises follow fixed amounts determined by the game’s betting structure. Pre-flop and flop bets use the small-bet amount, while turn and river bets use the larger amount. Up to four bets are generally allowed per player in each betting round, including the initial bet.
- Pot Limit Courchevel: You can bet up to the current size of the pot. The minimum bet is generally the big blind, and raises must meet the minimum raise requirement. There is no fixed cap on the number of raises.
- No Limit Courchevel: You can bet any amount from the minimum permitted bet up to your entire chip stack. Raises must meet the minimum raise requirement, with no fixed cap on the number of raises.
The available bet amounts depend on the betting structure and the action in the hand. The game software restricts bets to the permitted minimum and maximum amounts.
Courchevel Betting and Blinds
The blinds and betting limits depend on the format and stakes you choose.
In Pot Limit and No Limit games, the stakes are usually displayed using the small blind and big blind amounts. For example, a $1/$2 game has a $1 small blind and a $2 big blind.
In Fixed Limit games, the betting amounts follow a set structure. The small blind is typically half the big blind, although the exact amounts can vary by stake.
Understanding the betting structure before you take your seat can help you make informed decisions throughout the hand.
Learn to Play Courchevel for Free
New to Courchevel? You can practise at free poker tables to learn the rules and become familiar with the betting rounds before playing for real money.
If you enjoy Omaha-style poker, explore other variants such as 5 Card Omaha and Omaha Hi-Lo. You can also discover the range of Poker Tournaments available.
Explore More Poker Games
Looking for another format to try? Visit our Poker Games page to explore the poker variants available on PokerStars on Betfair and find a game that suits your preferences.