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Omaha Poker

Pretty close to Texas Holdem is Omaha poker. In fact, it is second of the most popular poker games. It has its own unique rules and features, that’s why people love it so much. 

One of the feature is its special dynamics and aggressiveness due to greater chances to get nuts combination and pot sizes. 

Omaha poker rules as well as its rounds are similar to Texas Holdem:

  • blinds first 
  • dealer opens three cards on flop and first round of bettings start;
  • then after one more, turn, card there next round of bets go on;
  • after last open card calls river and last round of bets or folds remaining players open their cards to each other one by one.

The goal of the game is to get standart five cards combination, similar to Texas Holdem combinations.

In addition, types of Omaha Poker also include:

  • cash game, to enter you just need to get an empty seat on any available cash tables;
  • multitables tournaments МТТ;
  • single - table tournaments SNG.

Organizationally, these are similar to Hold'em as well.

On these, the similarity of this games ends. The main difference is that according to Omaha poker rules, each player gets no two but four pocket cards unlike in Hold’em.

Wherein, poker combination may be assembled from two pocket cards plus three open on board common cards. That is, if on the board, for example, there are four suit cards and player has one more same suit pocket card then Flush impossible to compose unlike in Hold’em poker. 

Thus, Omaha poker combination must include at least two pocket cards and any three cards from the board.

Types of Omaha poker

Omaha poker rules

Omaha has a few types, differing in both initial conditions and goals. There are:

  • Omaha Hi;
  • Omaha Hi/Lo;
  • Five cards Omaha.

The goal of Omaha High is to get the strongest poker combination, who gets it will win.

More different rules in Omaha Hi/Lo. Where winner is who’s got the strongest or the weakest combination. So to win game at the same time might players holding both kind combinations and they will have to share bank in half.

Lo Combination is assembled from five cards from eight to two and its seniority depends on the higher card. 

The weakest hand is combination from ace to five where ace counts as one. According to poker slang, its name is “wheel” or “bicycle”. 

Thus, possible availability in the game the lowest combination determined by presence on the board at least three cards less than nine. If there is less than three cards, availability of Lo combination is impossible. And the winner will be the one who’s got Hi combination, which is always will be there. 

Very important moment is that the one player in same game might get Lo and Hi combinations.  Pocket cards in this case could be different - for Hi comb one pair of cards and other two for Lo comb. Situation as such calls «scooping the pot». Moreover, regular players quite often refuses to play -off hand in cases when they’ve got only Hi combination.

Five cards Omaha differs from versions above due to five pocket cards instead of four. Other rules are similar.

All mentioned types of Omaha poker also divides on limit and pot limit versions

  • Omaha Limit poker rules covers limited bets depending on generally accepted values. Betting sizes are indicated in tables settings in rooms through fraction. And mean that first betting size applies on first two betting rounds  and second - in next ones;
  • Pot Limit Omaha – game with bets limited by pot size and equal to the amount of the average bank and total bets.

Omaha poker strategy

Omaha poker rules, combinations

Despite that Omaha poker rules and combinations close to Texas Hold’em, game decision making in Omaha based on next reasons.

Firstly, decisions on pre flop must depend on best combination of your pocket cards between each other. So, the best combination will be suit pair of the same nominals. For example, Ace and King of spades plus Ace and King of hearts, which give you pretty good chances to get such great combinations on post flop as Straight or Flush. High odds to get set in poker game as well. But you have to remember that in Omaha poker this combination is not that strong as in Hold’em. And, because Omaha rules cover using only two pocket cards additional Ace and King on flop won’t reinforce your combination to Full House. In any case, the more opponents are on the table the more critical must be choice of your pocket cards.

Secondly, having more pocket cards gives players ample opportunities for assembly different combinations on post flop. Straight or Flush in one or more hands it is ordinary situation in Omaha poker. That is why better to have at least two - pair and high to play post flop. Also, Flush dro for full tables and Straight dro for short and full tables with low bets. In other cases, especially against aggressive players it is better to fold. 

This is quite hard but very interesting game, where it is necessary to know all rules and features. If you have an experience in Hold’em poker, it will not be much advantage for Omaha poker. 

The best way to reach goals in this game is learn Omaha poker rules and trainings with experienced mentors, which Poker Academy organizes. Proper analysis of started hands and board cards - you can learn this necessary foundation in Poker Academy. And without which it’s impossible to start winning in this dynamic and fascinating game.   

Pretty close to Texas Holdem is Omaha poker

In fact, it is second of the most popular poker games. It has its own unique rules and features, that’s why people love it so much. 

One of the feature is its special dynamics and aggressiveness due to greater chances to get nuts combination and pot sizes. 

Omaha poker rules as well as its rounds are similar to Texas Holdem:

  • blinds first 
  • dealer opens three cards on flop and first round of bettings start;
  • then after one more, turn, card there next round of bets go on;
  • after last open card calls river and last round of bets or folds remaining players open their cards to each other one by one.

The goal of the game is to get standart five cards combination, similar to Texas Holdem combinations.

In addition, types of Omaha Poker also include:

  • cash game, to enter you just need to get an empty seat on any available cash tables;
  • multitables tournaments МТТ;
  • single - table tournaments SNG.

Organizationally, these are similar to Hold'em as well.

On these, the similarity of this games ends. The main difference is that according to Omaha poker rules, each player gets no two but four pocket cards unlike in Hold’em.

Wherein, poker combination may be assembled from two pocket cards plus three open on board common cards. That is, if on the board, for example, there are four suit cards and player has one more same suit pocket card then Flush impossible to compose unlike in Hold’em poker. 

Thus, Omaha poker combination must include at least two pocket cards and any three cards from the board.

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