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Omaha poker offers one of the best opportunities for long term profit of any gambling game. Instead of fighting a built-in house edge like slot machines and blackjack have, you’re competing directly against your opponents. The casino or poker room makes a profit by taking a small rake from each hand, but good players can easily overcome the rake and make more than they lose.
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The biggest problem with Omaha poker is that it takes quite a bit of practice and study to become a winning player. It’s simply not possible to read a single page and instantly become a winner. But I’m going to give you everything you need to get started so you can begin your journey to being a winning poker player.
Mastering the Rules
Popular casino slots. The quickest way to become a good Omaha poker player is to master the rule of the game and learn how to make good starting hand decisions. I cover starting hand selection in the next section.
Don’t underestimate the importance of understanding the rules for Omaha. Most games have a simple rules structure and misunderstanding a rule rarely costs you much money. But in Omaha a mistake can wipe out all of the potential profit in an entire playing session.
The reason the rules in Omaha can create an issue is that most players start with Texas Holdem before trying their hand at Omaha. The rules are similar between the two games, but there’s one very important difference.
Most players think the main difference is you receive four cards in Omaha and only two in Texas Holdem. While this is important, it’s not as important as another rule.
In Texas Holdem, you can use any combination of community cards and your two-card starting hand to make a five-card hand. In Omaha you have to use exactly three community cards and exactly two of your four hole cards to form a five-card hand.
Here’s an example of how this can cost you a big pot.
Your hole cards are the ace of clubs, king of clubs, queen of hearts, and the jack of spades. The board consists of the king of spades, 10 of hearts, eight of spades, seven of clubs, six of diamonds, and the five of hearts.
Many inexperienced players believe they have an ace-high straight with this hand, but all you really have is an ace-high hand because you can only use two cards from your hand, not three.
In the end, it’s fairly simple to learn the rules, but it’s such an important point that you need to take the time to make sure you completely understand them before you start playing.
Understanding the rules is even more important if you play the high low, which is also called eight or better, version of Omaha. The biggest mistake that new Omaha players make in high low is reading the value of low hands.
The easiest way to read the value of low hands in Omaha eight is to read the five lowest cards as a number backward. The lowest number wins.
Here’s an example of how to read Omaha eight low hands:
- A hand of ace, two, three, six, seven is read backward as 76,321.
- A hand of two, three, four, five, six is read backward as 65,432.
The second hand is lower than the first, even though the first hand has an ace.
Starting Hand Selection
The biggest mistake Omaha players make is believing that they can play more hands than they can when they play Texas Holdem because they start with twice as many cards. The truth is that winning Omaha players tend to play fewer hands than most Texas Holdem players, not more.
The best Omaha poker starting hands have four cards that work together in some way. Hands with four high cards with suited cards are the best. Here are some examples of strong starting hands:
- Ace of clubs, king of spades, queen of spades, and jack or clubs.
- Ace of clubs, king of clubs, king of spades, and jack of spades.
- King of hearts, king of clubs, queen of hearts, and queen of clubs.
Another group of good starting hands has three high cards including an ace with a lower card suited to the ace. Here are a couple of examples of this kind of hand:
- Ace of hearts, king of clubs, jack of spades, and even of hearts.
- Ace of clubs, queen of spades, jack of diamonds, and five or clubs.
Hands with two pairs can be profitable, but if you don’t make a full house with one of the pairs they can be trap hands, so you have to be careful playing them.
Depending on the strength of your opponents and your table position, some hands with three cards that work together can be profitable, but they aren’t as strong as hands with all four cards working together.
Hands with only two good cards are rarely profitable. In real money Texas Holdem, a pocket pair of aces is the best possible hand, but in Omaha a pair of aces with two worthless cards is barely playable. And if you don’t flop a set of aces you usually need to fold.
It might seem boring, but the way to be a winning Omaha player is to fold all of your weak and marginal hands and only play the hands that give you the best chance to form a winning hand.
The Nuts Are King
In Texas Holdem you can win many hands without the best possible and. But when you play Omaha if you don’t hold the nuts, or best possible hand, you stand a much higher chance of being beat. The top hands like a straight flush and four of a kind are still rare, but any time the board pairs you have to be cautious of someone having a full house. This makes a flush or straight much less valuable.
Any board that has the possibility of a flush makes a straight almost worthless. Two pair hands are extremely weak because the chance that someone has a set is higher than in Texas Holdem.
You need to be cautious when you have a good hand that isn’t the nuts. This reduces the value you can extract when you do win with a second or third best hand. This is also why you have to push for as much profit as possible when you do have the nuts. You need to make your opponents holding second and third best hands pay as much as possible to stay in the hand.
Using Patience to Win
In the last two sections you learned the importance of starting hand selection and having the best possible hand. Both of these things tie together in this section. Winning Omaha players are patient because they understand that they can take advantage of a few golden opportunities during a playing session to make an overall profit.
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By folding weak and average hands you increase your chances of hitting a big hand when you do enter the pot. You also avoid wasting money chasing the second and third best hands. And when you do flop a great hand you can maximize the amount of money you make off of your opponents with second and third best hands.
When you play Omaha eight or better, you need to play with hands that have a good chance to scoop the entire pot. These hands include high only hands that win when there isn’t a possible low, and hands that can win both the high and low half of the pot.
In Omaha eight, the worst thing you can do is chase a pot to the end with only a low hand. Low hands are often split between two players, so you might end up with only a quarter of the pot. This can be costly in a big pot.
Conclusion
Any time a new gambler asks me for my recommendation for a game that gives them the best chance to win, I suggest Omaha. It’s not as popular as Texas holdem, but there are plenty of games available. This is especially true if you play online.
It’s not easy to learn how to be a winning Omaha player, but at the low and medium levels most of your opponents aren’t very good. Some of them don’t understand the rules, and some of them play too many hands. This creates a good opportunity for a good player to make a consistent profit.
Start building your Omaha knowledge and strategy using the advice on this page. If you can master starting hand selection it puts you in a great position to make a long term profit. Continue learning and building your skills from there and you have an excellent chance to be a long term winning Omaha player.
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.Welcome! This is an archived directory of older in-depth strategy articles, for the latest content, please visit the blog.
While the blog often focuses on particular example of a strategy or tactic, longer strategy and advice articles provide an opportunity to expand on a single concept or theme a little more.
General Poker Strategy
Pre-Flop Hand Reading
It’s never too early to start hand reading! Learn how the pre-flop action can provide important clues to help you determine the best play on much later streets.
It’s never too early to start hand reading! Learn how the pre-flop action can provide important clues to help you determine the best play on much later streets.
What Are You So Afraid Of?
Are you getting outplayed? Learn to think objectively about your fears and determine just what it would take for an opponent to exploit you.
Are you getting outplayed? Learn to think objectively about your fears and determine just what it would take for an opponent to exploit you.
Slowplaying
The biggest risk in slowplaying isn’t losing the pot, it’s failing to build the pot. Learn when and why to check strong hands and when to bet them hard.
The biggest risk in slowplaying isn’t losing the pot, it’s failing to build the pot. Learn when and why to check strong hands and when to bet them hard.
Out of Position Against a LAG
This in-depth analysis of a single hand illustrates important principles about one of the toughest situations in no-limit hold ’em: playing out of position against a good loose-aggressive opponent.
This in-depth analysis of a single hand illustrates important principles about one of the toughest situations in no-limit hold ’em: playing out of position against a good loose-aggressive opponent.
Bluff Cooler
This article introduces a new term to the poker lexicon and a new concept that will help you better analyze your bluffs, both the ones that work and the ones that do not.
This article introduces a new term to the poker lexicon and a new concept that will help you better analyze your bluffs, both the ones that work and the ones that do not.
Betting for Protection
It’s not just for fish anymore. Learn when and how to protect your hand in NLHE.
It’s not just for fish anymore. Learn when and how to protect your hand in NLHE.
Thinking Ahead
Your plan for future streets should influence the cards that you choose to play on the current street. Find out how to choose the best hands for bluffing, 3-betting, and more! Free bonus no deposit casino.
Your plan for future streets should influence the cards that you choose to play on the current street. Find out how to choose the best hands for bluffing, 3-betting, and more! Free bonus no deposit casino.
Bluff Catching
Explore the game theory behind a common river situation and learn how to use concepts like blockers and range balancing to protect yourself from exploitation.
Explore the game theory behind a common river situation and learn how to use concepts like blockers and range balancing to protect yourself from exploitation.
Capped Ranges
When you are sure your opponent can’t have the nuts, then you are virtually guaranteed good bluffing opportunities. Likewise, you should avoid playing in a way that makes it easy to exclude the nuts from your range. Find out how!
When you are sure your opponent can’t have the nuts, then you are virtually guaranteed good bluffing opportunities. Likewise, you should avoid playing in a way that makes it easy to exclude the nuts from your range. Find out how!
No Such Thing as a Free Hunch
Sometimes it is undesirable or nearly impossible to conceal the strength of your hand. This article discusses how to recognize such situations and the importance of charging your opponents the right price when you cannot avoid revealing such information.
Sometimes it is undesirable or nearly impossible to conceal the strength of your hand. This article discusses how to recognize such situations and the importance of charging your opponents the right price when you cannot avoid revealing such information.
Poker Strategy Book
How to Spot Level 3 Thinker
Maybe you know how to play against a Level 2 or 3 thinker, but how do you know if you’re up against one? This article is full of specific behavioral clues to watch for in your opponents that will help you determine how they are thinking and playing.
Maybe you know how to play against a Level 2 or 3 thinker, but how do you know if you’re up against one? This article is full of specific behavioral clues to watch for in your opponents that will help you determine how they are thinking and playing.
Continuation Betting for Advanced Players
By now, c-betting feels like the oldest play in the book. Everyone knows about it, and it seems like no one falls for it anymore. This article explains how to keep your continuation betting strategy up to date, even against the best of players.
By now, c-betting feels like the oldest play in the book. Everyone knows about it, and it seems like no one falls for it anymore. This article explains how to keep your continuation betting strategy up to date, even against the best of players.
Float On
You know how to bluff, and you know how to bluff-raise. But do you know how to bluff-call? It’s called a float, and it’s in every great player’s arsenal.
You know how to bluff, and you know how to bluff-raise. But do you know how to bluff-call? It’s called a float, and it’s in every great player’s arsenal.
Hand Reading Made Simple
Sometimes figuring out where you stand is as simple as eliminating one type of hand from an opponent’s range. This article explains an easy method for determining what your opponents have and what you can do about it.
Sometimes figuring out where you stand is as simple as eliminating one type of hand from an opponent’s range. This article explains an easy method for determining what your opponents have and what you can do about it.
Debunking Myths About Implied Odds
Implied odds are one of the most important and misunderstood factors in big bet poker. Learn how possible future outcomes should influence your play on the current street.
Implied odds are one of the most important and misunderstood factors in big bet poker. Learn how possible future outcomes should influence your play on the current street.
Relative Hand Strength
When is the better hand not the better hand? When it’s drawing thin or dead to your opponent’s calling range. Sometimes, it’s better to be drawing than made but behind.
When is the better hand not the better hand? When it’s drawing thin or dead to your opponent’s calling range. Sometimes, it’s better to be drawing than made but behind.
Real Time Equity
You can’t use an equity calculator at the table, but learning which factors affect your equity and how can help you to make better decisions in real time.
You can’t use an equity calculator at the table, but learning which factors affect your equity and how can help you to make better decisions in real time.
Value Flows Downstream
An advanced article about how the ability to make thin river value bets can generate extra fold equity for you on earlier streets.
An advanced article about how the ability to make thin river value bets can generate extra fold equity for you on earlier streets.
De-Polarizing Your Turn Range
An advanced article about when, why, and how to mix up your range for firing a second barrel on the turn.
An advanced article about when, why, and how to mix up your range for firing a second barrel on the turn.
Creative Bet Sizing
Big bet poker is a game of options and creativity. There are a lot more options for bet sizing than fixed limit, and not all players take full advantage.
Big bet poker is a game of options and creativity. There are a lot more options for bet sizing than fixed limit, and not all players take full advantage.
How to Bluff a Calling Station
Conventional wisdom holds that you should make more thin value bets against a very loose player but never bluff. I argue otherwise in this article.
Conventional wisdom holds that you should make more thin value bets against a very loose player but never bluff. I argue otherwise in this article.
Level-Headed Thinking
What does it mean to think on a deeper level than your opponent? Is it possible to overthink a hand of poker?
What does it mean to think on a deeper level than your opponent? Is it possible to overthink a hand of poker?
The Myth of Any Two Cards
The examples in this article aren’t the best, but I stand by the central claim.
The examples in this article aren’t the best, but I stand by the central claim.
Profitable ‘Mistakes’
Believe it or not, there are times when you want your bluffs to be called!
Believe it or not, there are times when you want your bluffs to be called!
Your Opponents’ Arsenal Part 1: The Flop
Recognizing specific mistakes that your opponent will make on the flop can help you make better pre-flop decisions against him.
Recognizing specific mistakes that your opponent will make on the flop can help you make better pre-flop decisions against him.
Your Opponents’ Arsenal Part 2: The Turn and River
Recognizing your opponents’ specific strengths and weaknesses on future streets can help you make better decisions now.
Recognizing your opponents’ specific strengths and weaknesses on future streets can help you make better decisions now.
Making Tough Decisions
To make the toughest decisions about poker, you have to think about not just the cards you hold now but all of the cards that you could hold in this spot. The key to resolving these dilemmas is using one part of your range to protect another.
To make the toughest decisions about poker, you have to think about not just the cards you hold now but all of the cards that you could hold in this spot. The key to resolving these dilemmas is using one part of your range to protect another.
Thinking About Ranges
You probably know that you are supposed to put your opponent on a range of hands rather than one specific holding. But what exactly does that mean, and how should it affect your decision-making at the tables?
You probably know that you are supposed to put your opponent on a range of hands rather than one specific holding. But what exactly does that mean, and how should it affect your decision-making at the tables?
Poker Strategy Blogs
Calling for Information
Betting or raising purely for information is rarely a good idea, as you can often get the same information by calling if you know what to look for.
Betting or raising purely for information is rarely a good idea, as you can often get the same information by calling if you know what to look for.
Tournament Poker
Standard Bet Sizes
Stop playing like a robot and use your head! Varying your bet sizes doesn’t have to mean giving away information about your hand, and it is one of the most valuable tools available to you in a NLHE tournament.
Stop playing like a robot and use your head! Varying your bet sizes doesn’t have to mean giving away information about your hand, and it is one of the most valuable tools available to you in a NLHE tournament.
Improving Your MTT Skills
Hone your short-handed skills and your multi-tabling practices to make the most of every final table appearance.
Hone your short-handed skills and your multi-tabling practices to make the most of every final table appearance.
Profitable Situations
My favorite strategy article I’ve written. A succinct and fairly comprehensive introduction to what is in the back of my mind whenever I play a hand of poker. Included in An Anthology of 2+2 Wisdom on Multi-Table Tournaments.
My favorite strategy article I’ve written. A succinct and fairly comprehensive introduction to what is in the back of my mind whenever I play a hand of poker. Included in An Anthology of 2+2 Wisdom on Multi-Table Tournaments.
Video Poker Blogs
Attacking and Defending Dead Money in Tournament Poker
An introduction to my basic philosphy for tournament play.
An introduction to my basic philosphy for tournament play.
The Last Bet
An explication of how and when to apply aggression in mid- to late-game tournament situations.
An explication of how and when to apply aggression in mid- to late-game tournament situations.
Hidden Costs in Tournament Poker
In this article, I reveal an often over-looked piece of information that can help you make good decisions about when to call, when to steal, and when to re-steal.
In this article, I reveal an often over-looked piece of information that can help you make good decisions about when to call, when to steal, and when to re-steal.
Game Selection for Tournament Players
A discussion of the factors to consider when deciding which of the thousands of poker tournaments available every day you should play.
A discussion of the factors to consider when deciding which of the thousands of poker tournaments available every day you should play.
Making Quick Reads in Tournaments
This article will suggest several strategies for formulating preliminary profiles of new opponents and adapting your play accordingly.
This article will suggest several strategies for formulating preliminary profiles of new opponents and adapting your play accordingly.
Ten Tips for Improving Your Bubble Play
A somewhat dated guide to abusing weak players (and sometimes strong players) on the money bubble.
A somewhat dated guide to abusing weak players (and sometimes strong players) on the money bubble.
Knowing is (Only) Half the Battle
Some betting lines reveal more than others. Against good players, it is important to find ways to keep your own ranges wide while defining theirs.
Some betting lines reveal more than others. Against good players, it is important to find ways to keep your own ranges wide while defining theirs.
World Series of Poker
Poker Strategy Blog App
Your First World Series of Poker
A beginner’s guide to the World Series of Poker, including a discussion of whether to play at all and how to handle the practical and psychological issues that may arise when playing outside of your bankroll.
A beginner’s guide to the World Series of Poker, including a discussion of whether to play at all and how to handle the practical and psychological issues that may arise when playing outside of your bankroll.
Top 10 WSOP Mistakes Than Even Good Players Make: How to Adjust to Deep Stacks
In the main event, players begin with 20,000 in chips, and blinds start at 50-100. You can put away your unexploitable push/fold charts, because with 120 minute levels, you’ll be playing real poker well into Day 2…
In the main event, players begin with 20,000 in chips, and blinds start at 50-100. You can put away your unexploitable push/fold charts, because with 120 minute levels, you’ll be playing real poker well into Day 2…
Holdem Poker Strategy
WSOP Trip Reports
In our Trip Reports section you’ll find narrative accounts of WSOP’s past.
In our Trip Reports section you’ll find narrative accounts of WSOP’s past.
Narrative
Three Days in Madrid
A sequel to Gray Friday, this article recounts my play during EPT Madrid as well as some larger thoughts about poker.
A sequel to Gray Friday, this article recounts my play during EPT Madrid as well as some larger thoughts about poker.
Gray Friday
This is one of the most personal pieces I’ve written, the product of several days of introspection following the sudden loss of online poker in the United States. This article ended up forming the basis of a profile on ESPN.
This is one of the most personal pieces I’ve written, the product of several days of introspection following the sudden loss of online poker in the United States. This article ended up forming the basis of a profile on ESPN.
How I Became a Poker Player
No strategy content here, but hopefully an enjoyable story of my early involvement with poker and the fortuitous events that set me on my way.
No strategy content here, but hopefully an enjoyable story of my early involvement with poker and the fortuitous events that set me on my way.