Poker-View.com

Poker Articles


Omaha Poker by Nathan Greenbridge
16 May 2008

Becoming good at Omaha requires practice and focus. The game of Omaha is similar to Texas Holdem but there are many important differences between the two and the only way to get comfortable with Omaha is to play it.

 

The Basics

 

One of the main differences between these two games is that in Omaha everyone gets four hole cards rather than two. There are five community cards put on the table as well. That is a lot of cards to have available but there is a catch. You are only allowed to use two of your hole cards and three of the community cards.

 

An Important Note About Omaha

 

If you are new to this game, keep in mind that more often than not the winning hands are higher than what you see in Texas Holdem. A really good hand in Holdem might be a sure loser in Omaha. This is where playing and practice become invaluable.

 

Another very important note to keep in mind is that you must use two cards from your hole cards. Not one, not three, but two. Many new players will mess up on this until they get used to the idea.

 

The Basic Deal in Omaha

 

As mentioned above, each player gets four hole cards, face down. Then comes the flop. The flop is three cards, face up. The fourth card is called the turn and the fifth is called the river. These are the same as in Holdem.

 

The Objective of Omaha

 

The goal in this game is the same as in other Poker games and that is to make the very best five-card hand that you can from all of the cards available.

 

Keep in mind that in this game a high flush is common as well as other high hands. This is good to know for two reasons. The first is it may help you avoid being suckered into a hand that you cannot win. The second is that many new players will play too loose and will not understand this little gem of advice. You can often beat those players when those high hands come your way.

 

Variations of the Game

 

Besides the general game of Omaha, there is also Omaha Hi Lo. Many people enjoy playing this game once they have mastered the basics of the general game. In this game the highest hand and lowest hand split the pot.

 

You will find that many online casinos will offer both the regular Omaha game, which is known at some places as Omaha Hi, as well as the Hi Lo version of the game. Many people who play Hi Lo simply love it because it allows for some interesting play when it comes to making the Lo hand. That is not as easy as it may sound, by the way.

You can find out more about the interesting game of Omaha by visiting www.TitanPoker.com


The best way to learn this game is to play a few hands. Start in the play money area and when you are ready move into the cash games.