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A Quick and Easy Guide to Omaha Poker
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Move over Texas, it's time to head to Omaha. Discover a step by step guide to Omaha Poker, and why it will be your new favorite game.
Are you a fan of poker? You're not alone! Currently, 40 million people play it regularly. Out of those 40 million people, 23 million are in the U.S.
There are many different kinds of poker, from Texas Hold'em to Omaha Poker. Looking to learn how to play Omaha Poker?
In this article, learn in this quick and easy guide, how to play, and what the rules are. Read on to discover how to play this fun and enjoyable poker game today.
Omaha Poker Main Components
Did you know that you can't play Texas Hold'em in Texas?
When first starting Omaha Poker, each player will receive 4 cards. This means that your winning hand can be stronger than Texas Hold'em.
Each hand is comprised of six 2-card hand combos. Whereas, in Texas Hold'em you only have 1.
You must use exactly 2 of your hole cards and 3 of the community cards. This makes a five-card poker hand.
For example, you can have an Ace of hearts, King of clubs, Queen of spades, and Jack of clubs in your pot-limit Omaha strategy.
The community cards can be King of hearts, 6 of spades, 10 of hearts, 3 of hearts, and 2 of hearts.
In a pot-limit, you don't hold a flush even though you have an Ace of hearts. You also don't have a broadway straight.
You have what's known as an ace-kicker. That's a pair of kings.
Playing Omaha Poker
When you're wondering the rules and how to play Omaha Poker, look no further. First, draw the high card for a dealer. Each player gets one card face up. The player who has the highest card will be the dealer. The highest card is an Ace. It's alphabetical from worst to best (Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, Spades).
Give the dealer a dealer button, which is usually a white disk. They'll shuffle the cards and deal the first hand. The player to the left of the dealer starts. Then it moves clockwise.
Each card is given face down one at a time. Then is the betting round.
A betting round is over when:
- All players that haven't folded best the same amount
- All players had the option to act
You can only act one player at a time.
The three options are:
- Call-Match the amount of the big blind
- Raise-Raise the bet by doubling or higher
- Fold-Nothing goes toward the pot
Next actions go clockwise.
Omaha Poker Tips
Often playing Omaha high-low split, there are 9 or 10 players. There's what's known as a rotating blind system. This means that for every hand, you have to contribute a certain amount of money for betting.
For a low hand, normally a score of 8 or higher is placed. For a high hand, you'll split the pot with the low hand.
A low hand for example could be 3, 7, 8, 2, and ace.
When you're given the 4 cards, they're known as hole cards. Next, 3 community cards are placed face-up in the center. The community cards are also known as the flop.
Then, you'll need to flip another card face up. This is what's known as a turn. Another card will be flipped. This card is known as the river.
If there aren't at least 3 community cards that are 8 and below, then there's no low hand. That means the entire pot will be given to the best high hand.
Playing Omaha online can be profitable since many think it's the same rules as Texas Hold'em. Many players will wrongly assume they have more options to win, and play too many hands since they started with 4.
You'll want to master reading the cards. Take a look at your cards and decide what the best hand is. Then you can determine the chances of someone else having the best hand.
To practice these Omaha tips, even if you've folded, practice reading cards. Try to figure out if there's a possible flush or low. A flush is 5 cards of the same suit in order. Or, if there's a possible straight. This means 5 cards of any suit in order.
Hand Values in Omaha Poker
Hand values in Omaha Poker are normally higher than Texas Hold'em since you start out with more cards. Starting out with more cards means you can have more of a range of cards.
In Texas Hold'em, you can have three-of-a-kind or 2 pairs which are considered a strong hand. In Omaha Poker, you can have better hands quite often to beat these hands.
Omaha Poker Rules
If you're playing the pot-limit Omaha version, pay attention to the pot-limit better format. This is one example of how it differs from Texas Hold'em.
In Texas Hold'em, it's the same where your minimum bet is the same as the big blind. If you're playing no-limit Texas Hold'em, you can bet all of your chips at any time. In Omaha Poker, the maximum bet is the size of the pot.
Top Tips for Omaha Poker
When searching for Omaha strategy (PLO poker strategy), you'll want to be patient with your starting hand. Don't be quick to play your 4 cards no matter what.
Keep in mind that there's less bluffing in Omaha Poker. Avoid playing it like Texas Hold'em.
Learn what hands you'll want to fold and play. Avoid danglers in the game. Danglers are cards that don't connect to other cards in your starting hand.
Try to always go for the premium hands.
Watch how others are playing. If they're betting a large amount, it's likely they have a good hand.
Avoid playing a lot of hands.
How to Win
You can have 2-10 players at the table. When you receive the pot, that's winning chips.
Two ways to win the pot:
- You have the best hand when it's the showdown
- You're the only player left after others folded
Exploring Omaha Poker
After exploring Omaha Poker, you should understand why many enjoy this type of poker.
What are you waiting for? Check out our online games and play some poker today!