How to Play Omaha Poker
Omaha is a community card game similar to Texas Hold’em, but each player receives four hole cards instead of two. Players must use exactly two of their hole cards and exactly three community cards to make their hand.
The Rules
The game follows the same structure as Hold’em with four betting rounds. The key difference is the 2-from-hand, 3-from-board requirement, which creates more action and bigger hands.
Omaha Hi-Lo
In Omaha Hi-Lo (also called Omaha 8 or Better), the pot is split between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand. A low hand must have five cards ranked 8 or lower.
Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO)
PLO is the most popular Omaha format. Players can bet up to the size of the pot, creating large pots and exciting action.
Basic Strategy
Omaha is a complex game where strategic thinking is paramount. Here are a few key concepts to help you improve your play:
Starting Hand Selection
Unlike Hold’em, where premium pairs are king, in Omaha you want “connected” and “coordinated” hands. Look for hands that offer multiple ways to make strong draws or made hands. Examples include double-suited hands (e.g., A♠ K♠ Q♦ J♦), hands with big pairs and good side cards (e.g., A♠ A♦ K♥ Q♥), or “rundowns” (four consecutive cards like 9-T-J-Q). Avoid hands with disconnected or “dangling” cards that don’t contribute to multiple draws.
Playing in Position
Position is even more critical in Omaha, especially in Pot-Limit Omaha. Being in late position allows you to see how your opponents act before you have to make a decision. This information helps you control the pot size, make more informed bets, and potentially steal pots when opponents show weakness. Playing out of position with marginal hands is a fast way to lose chips.
Pot Size Awareness (PLO Specific)
In Pot-Limit Omaha, understanding how to calculate and use the pot size for betting is fundamental. Always be aware of the current pot size to determine your maximum bet, and use this knowledge to size your bets strategically. Big bets can often price out draws, while smaller bets might invite action. Be careful not to overcommit with speculative draws unless you have strong pot odds or implied odds.
Common Mistakes
New Omaha players often fall into predictable traps. Avoiding these common errors can significantly improve your game:
Overvaluing Weak Four-Card Hands
Beginners often see four cards and assume they automatically have a strong hand. However, if your four cards don’t work well together (e.g., A-A-7-2 rainbow), or if they only offer a single, easily beaten draw, they are often not worth playing. Focus on hands with high potential for multiple strong draws or nut hands.
Forgetting the “Exactly Two” Rule
This is perhaps the most common mistake. Players sometimes mistakenly think they can use one, three, or even all four of their hole cards. Always remember: you *must* use exactly two of your hole cards and exactly three community cards. This can lead to misreading your own hand (e.g., thinking you have a flush when you only have one suited card in your hand) or miscalculating an opponent’s potential hands.
Chasing Draws with Insufficient Equity or Without the Nuts
Omaha is a game of draws, but not all draws are created equal. Beginners often chase any draw they have, regardless of pot odds or the strength of their draw. In Omaha, you want to be drawing to the “nuts” (the best possible hand). Drawing to a second-best flush or straight can be very costly, as you’re likely to lose a big pot if your opponent has a better version of the same hand.
FAQ
What’s the main difference between Omaha and Texas Hold’em?
The primary difference is the number of hole cards dealt to each player (four in Omaha vs. two in Hold’em) and the strict rule that players must use exactly two of their four hole cards and exactly three of the five community cards to make their best five-card hand. This rule significantly changes hand values and strategy.
What is a “wrap” in Omaha?
A “wrap” is a highly powerful straight draw in Omaha. It occurs when your four hole cards, combined with the flop, give you many outs to complete a straight. For example, if the board is T-J-Q and you hold 8-9-K-A, you have a wrap because the 8, 9, K, and A all contribute to making a straight, giving you numerous cards to hit.
Can I use all four of my hole cards to make a hand?
No, you cannot. You are strictly required to use exactly two of your four hole cards and exactly three of the five community cards to form your best five-card poker hand. Using one, three, or all four hole cards is not permitted.
Is Omaha a game of luck or skill?
While luck plays a role in the short term, especially due to the variance inherent in poker, Omaha is overwhelmingly a game of skill in the long run. The complexity of hand evaluation, pot management, reading opponents,
