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Omaha is one of the most interesting forms of poker. It combines elements of several different games, including the wildly popular Texas Hold ‘Em. But unlike Hold ‘Em, it offers more starting hand possibilities and thus more chances to gamble. However, there are some subtle rules differences and variations a player should know before they play.
The basics of Omaha are very similar to Texas Hold ‘Em.
In Hold ‘Em, players are dealt two cards face down (Hole Cards). In Omaha, however, a player gets four.
From there, the game is played like hold ‘em, with three community cards dealt (the flop) followed by a round of betting. Then another community card (turn) and another round of betting. Finally, a last card is dealt (river) followed by another round of betting and a showdown.
The best five card hand wins. Traditional poker hand rankings apply: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, three of a kind, two pair, pair, high card.
However, this is one of the major differences from Hold ‘Em and it is VERY important.
In Hold ‘Em, players use their two hole cards in any combination with the five board cards to make the best possible hand. In Omaha, however, players must use two cards from their hand in combination with three of the community cards to make the best five-card hand.
One of the most common mistakes made in Omaha for beginners is to just use one card combined with four on the board. You HAVE to use two of yours and three from the board.
In addition, the level of winning hand in Omaha is higher than in Hold ‘Em. Two pair is not nearly as strong a hand in Omaha as it is in Hold ‘Em. Three of a kind is roughly the equivalent of two pair. And something less than the nut flush is often vulnerable.
Because there are so many starting hand combinations, players will stay in with more hands, which makes marginal winning hands much more vulnerable.
Omaha starting hands are much broader than in Hold ‘Em. However, some hands that seem promising are actually very bad hands. For instance, a hand dealt with three of a kind should be folded, because you can only use two of those cards and one of your outs is now dead.
The best starting hands in Omaha include a pair of aces with any two cards, kings with any two cards, high pair with a suited ace (for example, QsQdAsX), high pair/middle pair, high pair with suited connectors, four high cards or three high cards with a suited ace.
A good strategy is to try to see as many flops as possible with these type hands. Be aware at all times of the nut possibilities; it doesn’t always take the nuts to win, but it happens at a much more rapid rate than in Hold ‘Em. For instance, if you flop the nut straight but there is a flush draw on the board and five people in the hand, you need to bet as aggressively as possible. If a flush card hits, you are likely dead.
Omaha allows players to have more opportunities to gamble and stay in hands, but as in Hold ‘Em, a solid strategy is required.
As with all games, try some online Omaha first for free to get the feel of the game before playing for real.
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