With the increasing popularity of Pot Limit Omaha, many Texas Holdem players are trying their hand at Omaha games. Knowing how to vary your strategy in Ohama is very important, whether you are playing in a tournament or a cash game. Although certain skills, such as reading, positioning and hand values are similar to Texas Holdem each element of Omaha is unique.
Successful pot limit players combine semi-bluffs with conservative best hand strategy to maximize the value of their hands. In Omaha, proper hand selection requires patience, discipline, proper reads and an organized structure to your play. The game allows you to see an increasing number of flops given your ability to use any two (or four) cards as part of your hand. With more players, the pots will tend to be larger, and having the best possible hand ("the nuts") is often key for competing in multi-way pots.
When playing with a few players semi-bluffing the best hand can frequently allow you to win the pot outright, or indicate to you that another player is particularly strong. Since you are playing against more opening hands in Pot Limit Omaha, mastering of the game requires a number of advanced tactics that are not learned playing Texas Holdem.
Advanced Strategies in Omaha
The smartest idea of getting pot value is to play even more quality hands in Omaha. Frequently players will be overconfident in their hands, given the extensive possibility of drawing to other hands. Remember a low flush isn't likely to sustain as the other players are holding four hole cards. By far the best hand in Omaha is Ace-Ace-King-King, with two suited A-K's with doubled suited J-T-A-A after that. Draw hands hold a higher possible value in Omaha given the possibility of a flush or straight.
While entering more pots is a good idea when you hold high draws, keep in mind you don't want to be overconfident in low pairs or low draws. In these cases, low draw hands may hold less value than suited connectors might in traditional Holdem. You'll need to pay careful attention to your position since generating information from other players requires you to be in a good position to analyze factors involved in hand play. In early position temper your betting unless you have the best possible hand, since you're competing against a larger number of players. If you have a marginally good hand, don't over bet or remain in the pot on a hope - there will be more hands where you can wait out the flop.
When you have the best possible draw, a good semi-bluff strategy is the play strong. For example you may want to build to the pot in multiple ways if you're drawing to the Ace flush or a high straight. This aggressive position also opens the possibility of winning the pot when you miss your draw by having all the other players fold. Drawing to the best hand can put you in the position to frequently outplay your opponents. When you have a decent but marginal hand the best approach is to wait for another opporotunity to give you an even better hand. The payoff in advanced Omaha comes from patience coupled with selective aggression.
Successful pot limit players combine semi-bluffs with conservative best hand strategy to maximize the value of their hands. In Omaha, proper hand selection requires patience, discipline, proper reads and an organized structure to your play. The game allows you to see an increasing number of flops given your ability to use any two (or four) cards as part of your hand. With more players, the pots will tend to be larger, and having the best possible hand ("the nuts") is often key for competing in multi-way pots.
When playing with a few players semi-bluffing the best hand can frequently allow you to win the pot outright, or indicate to you that another player is particularly strong. Since you are playing against more opening hands in Pot Limit Omaha, mastering of the game requires a number of advanced tactics that are not learned playing Texas Holdem.
Advanced Strategies in Omaha
The smartest idea of getting pot value is to play even more quality hands in Omaha. Frequently players will be overconfident in their hands, given the extensive possibility of drawing to other hands. Remember a low flush isn't likely to sustain as the other players are holding four hole cards. By far the best hand in Omaha is Ace-Ace-King-King, with two suited A-K's with doubled suited J-T-A-A after that. Draw hands hold a higher possible value in Omaha given the possibility of a flush or straight.
While entering more pots is a good idea when you hold high draws, keep in mind you don't want to be overconfident in low pairs or low draws. In these cases, low draw hands may hold less value than suited connectors might in traditional Holdem. You'll need to pay careful attention to your position since generating information from other players requires you to be in a good position to analyze factors involved in hand play. In early position temper your betting unless you have the best possible hand, since you're competing against a larger number of players. If you have a marginally good hand, don't over bet or remain in the pot on a hope - there will be more hands where you can wait out the flop.
When you have the best possible draw, a good semi-bluff strategy is the play strong. For example you may want to build to the pot in multiple ways if you're drawing to the Ace flush or a high straight. This aggressive position also opens the possibility of winning the pot when you miss your draw by having all the other players fold. Drawing to the best hand can put you in the position to frequently outplay your opponents. When you have a decent but marginal hand the best approach is to wait for another opporotunity to give you an even better hand. The payoff in advanced Omaha comes from patience coupled with selective aggression.
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