Omaha High Strategy Guide

Omaha High, or just Omaha as most call it is the easier of the two most popular forms of the game to learn. If you're new to the game then it's best to begin at this form vs. the Hi-Lo format where so many other combinations can come into play. The basics of the game are as follows:

• Players are dealt four hole cards each
• A betting round takes place (either Limit or Pot Limit, you will see the rare No Limit game at some sites like Full Tilt Poker)
• The flop is dealt
• A betting round takes place
• The turn is dealt
• A betting round takes place
• The river is dealt
• The final betting round takes place and the hands are shown down
• The winning hand must use TWO of the four hole cards to win. You cannot win a hand at Omaha only using a single hole card (as in Texas Hold'em)

We talked about common mistakes in Omaha in our blog article titled Making the move to Omaha from Hold'em. If you haven't read that yet, please do so before going any further. Building on those points, we will now dive into more basics and the mechanics of playing certain hands at Omaha.

Starting hands in Omaha

Ideal starting hands in Omaha can be considered any good starting hand in Hold'em times two. With one exception: If you're ever dealt quads or a set (777) in Omaha, it's rarely a good hand to play! Why is this you ask? Because if you're dealt three of the same card, then there's only one more left in the deck that can improve your hand. Of course, quads are essentially worthless in Omaha if you're holding all four of them in your hole cards.

You'd rather look down and see 7h 7d Kh Kd because you're double paired/double suited now. You have four more cards that can make a big set and two possible flush draws depending on the flop. Other big hands in Omaha would be double suited connectors such as 9d Td 4h 5h. You now have many outs for straight draws and/or flush draws depending on the flop. Of course, not unlike Hold'em, if you miss the flop it's wise to get out of the hand unless you have a solid enough read to try and bluff a player into folding.

Scary flops in Omaha

A scary flop in Omaha can be used to your advantage, regardless of what you're holding. Conversely, it also can be your cue to fold and pick a better spot to take down a pot. If you're holding 9d Th 4c 4d and you limp in with four other players to see a flop of 2d 4h 5h, you now have some thinking to do. Remember, lots of folks limped into this pot so it's safe to assume that at least of them has a weak Ace. So that person now has at least a gut shot straight draw and with two hearts on the board a flush draw is a very real possibility as well. Yes, you have a big hand with your set of fours but unless the board pairs on the turn you could be in serious trouble. Typically here, it would make sense to see the turn in Limit Omaha and perhaps in Pot Limit Omaha unless there's a bet and raise before the action reaches you.

The flip side of this is the bluff tactic based on this board. Assume it's heads up and a battle of the blinds and you bet out from the SB. The BB could have any range of hands but if he's holding overs and two rags, it's going to be hard for him to call you here. If nothing else, you just picked up two BB's from your well timed bluff.

There's much more learn about the game of Omaha but the best way is to begin playing for small stakes today at PokerStars or Full Tilt Poker. Make sure to read our other strategy articles on Omaha as well!