The Ultimate Omaha Poker Strategy Guide
Omaha Poker Strategy: What You Need to Know
- Comprehend Starting Hands: Understand the value of strong starting hands in Omaha, which differ significantly from other poker games such as Texas Hold’em.
- Pot Limit Strategy: Grasp the strategies specific to Pot Limit Omaha, encompassing careful hand selection, position, and pot control.
- Bluffing in Omaha: Learn the essentials of bluffing in Omaha poker, an integral part of the game but generally less frequent than in Texas Hold’em.
- Understand Drawing Potential: Realize the importance of drawing hands in Omaha, as well as recognizing potential drawing hands in your opponents.
- Master Multiway Pots: Acquire tactics to handle multiway pots in Omaha, given it’s common due to the game’s nature of players having stronger hands.
Omaha poker can be one of the most exciting games in poker and players love the action-packed nature of the game. Because players have four cards to choose from, players can expect higher hands and some major swings in the action when taking a seat at a table.
The game has grown in popularity over the last few years and tournament series around the world now offer events featuring various formats of the game.
Keep reading to learn about Omaha poker strategy and what to expect when hitting the tables at a cash game or in a tournament.
Mastering Omaha Poker Strategy
Players accustomed to Texas Hold’em will find some key differences when playing Omaha. The game can be found in limit, no limit, or pot limit (PLO) variants. Pot limit and limit are the most common of those three with PLO probably the most popular.
Image Credit: VITALII BORKOVSKYI/Shutterstock
Understanding the Basics of Omaha Poker
Gameplay for Omaha generally follows much the same as players may be used to when playing Hold’em. The action plays out using a big blind and a small blind, and players bet preflop as well as on the flop, turn, and river cards.
The key difference is that players receive four cards and must play two and only two of these. You can’t use one card, three cards, four cards, or simply play the community cards. You must play two and only two. Here’s a quick look at how the action plays out.
- Preflop – All, players begin with four cards rather than two with the same betting structures and gameplay. Players post a big blind and small blind when the hand begins and the action progresses from there around the table in the same fashion.
In the fixed limit version, players can only bet preset amounts and can’t raise any amount they wish. In pot limit (PLO), players can only bet the size of the pot. That may sound like it’s smaller than no limit, but these amounts can grow to sizable pots.
Players generally play more hands in Omaha because with four cards there is more potential to draw big hands.
- The Flop – After players have called or folded preflop, three community cards are dealt on the center of the table and players can check, bet, or raise as in most poker games. When considering your Omaha poker strategy, it’s important to remember you can use two (and only two) of your hole cards with three of the community cards to make your best hand.
- The Turn – Betting continues on the turn card as in Hold’em.
- The River – The remaining players can then check, bet, or raise any other opponents on the final community card. Those who call on the river then expose their hands with the winner taking down the pot.
Expect to see higher hands in Omaha and players should adjust their folding ranges as they might have in hold’em. For example, a paired board can mean it’s likely that an opponent will have a full house.
Seeing three cards of one suit may also bring caution as a flush also is likely. These are some of the Omaha poker strategy considerations players will have to keep in mind when jumping in the action.
Significance of Pot Limit in Omaha
It’s important to note that PLO has become the game of choice in general among Omaha variants. While fixed limit may be found in mixed game varieties, such as HORSE, a mixed variety of limit games including Hold ’em ( H), Omaha hi-lo eight or better (O), Razz (R), seven-card stud (S), and seven card stud hi-lo eight or better (E).
Unlike limit Hold’em, the ability to bet the amount of the pot can bring some serious changes with much bigger bets now possible. These can only escalate as the action continues to play out. Many players enjoy the challenges and added strategy considerations that come with PLO.
“Hold’em is the most elementary of poker games,” Omaha inventor Robert Turner told Cardplayer Lifestyle in 2014. “Omaha requires a little more thinking; it is a little more of a brain game. If you don’t catch cards in Hold’em, there’s nothing more boring.”
Image Credit: VITALII BORKOVSKYI/Shutterstock
Foundational Tips for Pot Limit Omaha Poker Strategy
As with any game, having a foundation in Omaha poker strategy can go a long way toward finding some success. Here’s a look at a few concepts to remember.
Best Starting Hands in Omaha
Starting hand selection is critical in any poker variant and that goes for Omaha as well. Because Omaha is such a drawing game with higher hand combinations possible, look for hands that have multiple possibilities. Solid double-suited hands give players the best chance to make winning combinations.
For example, doubled-suited aces and kings, such AhAsKsKh, offer players the two highest pairs as well as the two highest suited cards for hitting nut flushes. This hand has numerous possibilities. Here’s a look at the top 10 starting hands in Omaha (note that these are all double-suited).
- A-A-K-K
- A-A-J-10
- A-A-Q-Q
- A-A-J-J
- A-A-10-10
- A-A-9-9
- A-A-x-x
- J-10-9-8
- K-K-Q-Q
- K-K-J-J
It’s important to note that numerous other starting hands are possible at playing, especially those that have high pairs and straight possibilities. Another thing to remember is that high pairs like aces and kings don;t always mean you’ll be raking a pot.
These types of hole cards are much less likely to win as in Hold’em. Depending on board texture, players must be willing to fold these types of hands at times.
Navigating Position in PLO
As in most poker games, making use of position can be key when playing PLO. The best position is on the button, which acts last after the flop and can be a significant advantage when it comes to betting. But generally acting later in the betting round can also be a good place to be, depending on who stays in behind you.
Players in these positions generally play with a wider range of hands because they get to see how opponents play before them. This presents more raising and bluffing opportunities to take down pots.
You can also evaluate an opponent’s hand based on how they bet in regard to their position. Those in early position may want to play with a tighter range of hands because there are several players behind them.
Essential Tactics to Elevate Your Game
Along with playing position, there are a few other things to keep in mind when playing PLO:
- Watch for board textures – Recognize strong hands opponents could have based on the board. Omaha can see high hands and regularly finishing second or third is a recipe for disaster.
- Managing pot size – Playing “small ball” isn’t always possible, but keeping pots smaller, especially with less than optimal hands, can help minimize risk.
- Betting – Used pot-sized bets to get maximum value when you have a strong hand. Smaller bets may also be used to induce bluffs or get calls from opponents with more marginal hands.
- Adjust based on opponents – Scan the table and watch how opponents are playing. As in any poker game, making some strategy adjustments can go a long way toward finding success.
- Don’t go crazy with big pairs – As noted, those big pocket pairs don’t always mean much in Omaha. This is a drawing game and a bad board texture and aggression from opponents may mean it’s time to dump those aces and kings.
- Look for “wraps” – These are straight draws with nine or more outs. In Omaha, players can have straight draws of as many as 20 outs, making it extremely high that you’ll hit your cards.
- Redraws – This is the concept that a player has already made the best hand, but can improve even more on the turn and river card.
Image Credit: Luxora/Shutterstock
Common Mistakes in Omaha Poker
Players are dealing with more possible hand combinations in Omaha. For many players, especially those new to the game, that can mean some mistakes along the way. Here’s a look at a few of those.
Make note of how to adjust your own Omaha poker strategy.
Misjudging High Hands vs. Low Hands
Having a good sense of starting hand ranges can help players avoid putting money in pots where they have a lower chance of winning.
Recognizing when your hand misses the board is also key. If your hand doesn’t seem great, there’s a good chance other players at the table have beaten you. Below are some of the other common mistakes in Omaha poker.
Pitfalls to Avoid in PLO
- Choosing weak starting hands.
- Calling big bets with marginal hands.
- Playing too many hands.
- Bluffing too often.
- Misreading hands. For example, not realizing you can play two and only two of your cards.
- Misreading opponents.
Advanced Techniques for Omaha Variants
Those who enjoy playing Omaha and have a decent understanding of the game may want to consider some variants.
Omaha Hi/Lo (8 or Better)
The version of the game features a split-pot format. Players can use any two cards for a high hand and any two for a low hand with the high hand at the table winning half of the pot and the lowest hand winning the other half.
However, there is not always a low hand. “8 or Better” means no five-card low hand can be higher than 8. The best low hand possible is A-2-3-4-5 and no low hand can be higher than an 8 – such A-2-3-5-8. Therefore, a hand like A-2-3-5-9 would not qualify as low.
Some boards may not allow for a low hand. Seeing community cars like A-K-3-K-9 would mean there is only a high-hand winner because there are only two qualifying low cards on the board.
It’s also important to note that a player can win both the high and low hand (known as “scooping” the pot) by using two cards for the high hand and two for the low.
Because of the hi-lo concept, this game requires some Omaha poker strategy adjustments.
Image Credit: VITALII BORKOVSKYI/Shutterstock
Big O (Five Card Omaha)
This is another version that simply adds an extra card for each player, making for even better hand combinations. You may get more cards, but the same rules are the same. Players still use two and only two cards to make a hand.
Board textures become even more important in this version. Big O has grown in popularity in recent years and can be found in many mixed cash games and tournaments.
HORSE and other Mixed Games
As noted, HORSE and other mixed game formats regularly feature Omaha and players should also be adept at the other games offered as well to find success in these formats.
Pineapple
This is a cross between hold’em and Omaha in which players are dealt three cards. Crazy pineapple is a version in which players discard one card after seeing the flop. Lazy pineapple has players keeping three cards throughout the hand, but can only play two at showdown as in Omaha.
There is also a version called “Super Hold’em” where players keep all three cards throughout the hand, but can use any combination of all three cards. The game is a bit like Omaha, but players can use one, two, or all three of their cards to make a hand after action concludes on the river.
Strategic Adjustments for Omaha Hi-Lo Poker
Of all the Omaha variants, the hi-lo version is probably the most popular and there major tournaments in this format in series like the World Series of Poker.
As with all poker games, choosing starting hands is important. Look for hands that have a chance to win both high and low – something like double-suited A-A-2-10. Here’s a look at the top 10 starting hands for Omaha Hi-Lo.
- A-A-2-3 double-suited
- A-A-2-4 double-suited
- A-A-2-3 suited
- A-A-2-5 double-suited
- A-A-2-4 suited
- A-A-3-4 double-suited
- A-A-2-3 non-suited
- A-A-2-2 double-suited
- A-A-3-5 double-suited
- A-A-2-6 double-suited
Additionally, here are a quick few Omaha poker strategy tips for this version of the game.
- Go low – A-2 can often be played to hopefully flop the nut-low hand. If you miss, then the hand can be folded if there is no solid draw.
- Bet when freerolling – Freerolling means you’ve made the nuts (especially when low). There is no way you can lose the hand, so keep betting. You want to build the pot if low, so that players with more marginal hands keep calling. All high hands may even fold at some point, sending you the entire pot.
- Your low may not be low enough – Beware of calling too much with inferior low hands. Check if the board is more favorable to players who may have A-2.
- See cheap flops – Because Omaha is a drawing game and low hands can produce wins, try and limp in more pots.
- Play position – Use this poker table position strategy just as you would in other games.
Image Credit: VITALII BORKOVSKYI/Shutterstock
Enhancing Your Omaha Skills
As you begin to play more, growing your Omaha poker Strategy repertoire is key to becoming better at the game.
Top 5 Tips to Excel in Omaha
- Be wise with your starting hands.
- Don’t call too much with marginal hands.
- Look for wraps and redraw hands that have a chance to improve and make stronger hands.
- Adjust starting hands to gear toward low hands in the hi-lo version.
- Be willing to dump high pocket pairs if they don’t connect on the flop and board textures are unfavorable.
Continuous Learning and Practice
Omaha is a game where seeing more hands is key to becoming a better player. This offers a chance to see many more hands and scenarios, allowing you to adjust your Omaha poker strategy. You can practice the game at much lower stakes than you’d find in a casino.
Keeping up with new strategies and concepts can also help as well. Strategy articles and books from top-name pros can also help, along with training sites. “Love and learn” is the best advice on improving – hit the tables and adjust your game as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Omaha Poker Strategy
How do you get good at Omaha poker?
Playing the game more certainly helps. Players can practice at lower stakes online poker. It’s also wise to choose solid starting hands, be aware of how board textures might connect with opponents, and avoid calling too much with marginal hands.
How do you compare the difficulty of Omaha vs. holdem?
Omaha may involve more action while Hold’em sees more strategy considerations. In Omaha, players will find a faster-paced game with more aggressive play because of the larger number of hand combinations and draws available.
How do you evaluate hands: straights vs. flushes in Omaha?
Pay attention to board textures and how they possibly connect with your hand as well as opponents. Hands that have straight and flush draws can be solid and provide some nice potential for raking pots.
Title Image Credit: VITALII BORKOVSKYI/Shutterstock
