Omaha Poker Strategy – Omaha Poker Basics

Below we will guide you through Omaha poker basics, get to know the game and some basic Omaha poker strategy.

The Omaha Basics

Players start with 4 down cards and subsequently receive 5 community cards dealt face-up in the middle of the table. You MUST use 2 of your 4 down cards along with 3 community cards on the table to form your hand. Upon the completion of betting, the best hand wins the pot. The pot may also be won by someone betting and no one calling prior to the completion of the hand. The Omaha basics are similar to Texas Hold'Em but with the twist that you get 4 cards instead of 2.

Omaha Starting Hands

In Omaha, the strength of your hole cards depends on those cards giving you the chance to benefit from multiple outcomes. So, strong Omaha starting hands give you plenty of chances to make strong hands. For example, some strong starting hands are:

Kh, Qd, Jd, 10h – This is a fantastic starting hand. Not only does it give you draws to two Royal flushes, it also gives you draws to three other straight flushes, two flushes and sixteen other straight draws. And that’s not to mention a range of powerful high cards for pairing up, trips and full houses.
  
Ad, Ac, Kd, Kc – Another very strong starting hand with top flush draws and excellent full house possibilities.  

10d, 9d, 8c, 7h – Again, plenty of straight options with a possible straight flush.  

Ah, Qd, Qc, 8h – Top flush, top straight as well as full house chances.

The Flop in Omaha

Once the flop comes out, you should have a strong idea on where your hand is going. The flop in Omaha is also the time when you’ll see a lot of betting so make sure you realize the full value of your hand. If you do have the nuts on the flop then get your money in the middle.

The Turn in Omaha

If you get to the turn and you’re still holding the nuts, then this is where you need to get as much money into the pot as possible to discourage any drawing hands from going any further. If for example you only have trips on the turn in Omaha and are faced with a big raise when the 3 flush card hits. You might have to fold; there is a big chance that your opponent has made his flush. Drawing for a full house at this point is not a good idea. Not too many outs.

The River in Omaha

If you’ve come all this way and haven’t made the nuts, then good luck; you better hope that your opponents are bluffing. But remember, chances are that they’re not bluffing and calling bets on the river in Omaha when you don’t have the nuts will, in the long term, do you no favors. Remember that this game as any other game is dependent on your opponents. A hand that looks very strong preflop might not be too good on the flop if your opponents are loose and aggressive. Keep calm and play Omaha solid and you will most likely succeed.