How to Play Courchevel
A five-card Omaha variant that reveals the first flop card before the preflop betting round.
Learn the rules ↓What is Courchevel?
Make the best high hand using exactly two of five hole cards and exactly three board cards.
Courchevel is an established five-card Omaha variant documented in published operator rules.
Dealer, forced bets & starting cards
Five hole cards are dealt, then the first board card is exposed before preflop action. Two more flop cards appear after that round, followed by turn and river.
Forced bets: Small blind and big blind. Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
Betting rounds & legal actions
Betting schedule: 4. When action reaches you, fold, check if no bet is pending, bet, call, or raise within the table's betting limits. An all-in wager is possible when your remaining stack is smaller than a full bet; side pots can result.
Betting limits: Limit, pot-limit, or no-limit by table. Always confirm the posted stake and raise rules before play.
Showdown & pot award
Exactly two private cards and three board cards form each five-card hand. The best standard high hand wins; ties split.
See the rule at the table.
You hold A♠ K♠ Q♦ J♦ 10♣. If the early exposed board card is 2♠, you may plan around spades, but you still need exactly two hole cards and three final board cards.
The mistake to avoid
Treating the exposed first flop card as an extra board card or forgetting that Courchevel still follows Omaha's exactly-two rule.
A sound starting approach
The early exposed board card changes preflop information. Consider how it connects with all five hole cards, then reassess once the remaining flop arrives.
Venue and format variations
Courchevel Hi-Lo adds eight-or-better split-pot rules. The cited room offers multiple betting limits; confirm the table structure.
Game mechanics, tournament procedures, and local house rules are different layers. Poker TDA publishes tournament procedures; the table operator's posted game rules decide the exact version you play.
Follow one hand, step by step.
Post blinds and deal five private cards.
This fixed sequence teaches the deal and betting order. It does not simulate an actual hand.
Check your understanding.
QUESTION 1 / 2When is Courchevel's first flop card exposed?
Read the correct chart.
Listed from strongest to weakest. A royal flush is the highest straight flush. Suits do not break ties in standard high poker.
- A♠K♠Q♠J♠10♠Royal flushThe ace-high straight flush.
- 9♥8♥7♥6♥5♥Straight flushFive consecutive cards of one suit.
- Q♠Q♥Q♦Q♣3♠Four of a kindFour cards of one rank.
- K♠K♥K♦4♣4♠Full houseThree of one rank plus a pair.
- A♦J♦8♦5♦2♦FlushFive cards of one suit, not consecutive.
- 9♣8♦7♥6♠5♣StraightFive consecutive ranks, not all one suit.
- 7♠7♥7♦K♣2♥Three of a kindThree cards of one rank.
- A♠A♥5♦5♣Q♠Two pairTwo distinct pairs.
- J♠J♦A♥8♣3♦One pairTwo cards of one rank.
- A♠J♦8♥5♣2♦High cardNo pair or higher category.
Frequently asked questions
What cards and deck does Courchevel use?
Standard 52-card deck. Cards received over the hand: 5; community cards: 5.
How is the pot awarded?
Exactly two private cards and three board cards form each five-card hand. The best standard high hand wins; ties split.
Which rules should I check at a real table?
Courchevel Hi-Lo adds eight-or-better split-pot rules. The cited room offers multiple betting limits; confirm the table structure. Confirm the venue's betting limits, forced bets, and tournament or cash-game procedures.
Related poker terms
Continue exploring
Playing this game in a tournament? Explore tournament formats and rules ↗
Source documents
These original explanations were reviewed 2026-10-15. The linked organizations publish the underlying rules; Flawless Poker is an educational guide, not an official ruling body.
- PokerStars Courchevel rules ↗Published room game rules
- Poker TDA 2026 Rules v1.1 (Sept. 21, 2026) ↗Tournament procedures; not a universal rulebook for every game