Profitable Omaha Strategy

As Omaha is a near cousin of Texas Hold’em many people believe that, because the game is played in the same way (with the exception of the two additional hole cards), much the same poker strategies apply. Inasmuch as there is an element of truth in that, some of the basic fundamentals that are found in Texas Hold’em do not hold the same importance in Omaha.

This article relates to Omaha Hi games only. Omaha Hi/Lo has a much different perspective.

Opening Hand Selection.

In Omaha there are good hands that will lead to a high draw, flush or boat. There is little else. A pair of aces with nothing to support it does not constitute a good hand and is better folded than played against Kh Qs Qd Jh. Other good hands to consider playing are any which have four cards ranked 9 or better, with no more than two suited and no more than two of the same rank.

Position.

Position has a fraction of the value in Omaha as it has in Texas Hold´em, as betting aggressively from early position is often a winning strategy. As Omaha is a game with so many possible combinations, when you are dealt one that with great potential, you need to get as much into the pot as possible pre-flop and then, if you flop a set or have multiple top outs possible, raise aggressively once more. In Omaha, one of the biggest mistakes that you can make is giving you opponents a free card or letting them get one cheaply when you are in prime position.

Bluffing.

If anything, bluffing is more straightforward in Omaha than it is in Texas Hold´em. Players are looking at all the possible combinations of cards that have the ascendency over their hands, so if an ace and two queens were drawn, or three high cards of the same suit, a major bluff post flop would imply that you had caught a boat or top flush.

Bluffing after the turn is not recommended, as players who have got to the turn are more likely to have a good hand already, or be into the pot for so much that it is worthwhile for them to call you.

Play Fewer Hands.

There is a myth in Omaha that you should be involved in more hands than you would be in Texas Hold´em because of the greater number of opportunities. In fact the reverse is true. Disciplined, patient play will see you win fewer hands but with bigger pots in Omaha as everybody else tends to believe this myth. Save your chips on anything less than prime opening hands for bigger wins when you connect with a monster.

Focus on Your Opponents.

Inasmuch as identifying the betting traits of your opponents is important to successful Texas Hold´em, in Omaha it is doubly so. “Slow players” are not so likely to be profitable in Omaha, as the later cards can demolish their top post-flop set – so take advantage of players who regularly limp into the pot.

Any player raising aggressively pre-flop who would be considered “out of position” in a game of Texas Hold´em should be avoided, as should tight aggressive players who come out with all guns blazing post flop- they know that they have the odds in their favour.

With these few adjustments to your game, whether you are playing in ring games or multi table poker tournaments, you should be become a profitable Omaha player.