Omaha tips to help me improve

[Murasaki]

I've always been into Texas Hold'em, but I want to get into Omaha as well to expand my knowledge and skills in Poker in general so I can enter either tournament and get a deep run in them.

Here's a few of my reoccurring habits:
Starting hands, I typically call pre-flop with a pocket pair or running cards.
If I get a pair on the flop, I bet.
If I want to go all in, I keep raising due to the pot limit bet.
I tend to forget that my profile is ONLY 3 community cards and 2 of my hand cards, which made me make bad judgements and lose.

Any tips and advice is welcome, I hope to get better in Omaha.

 

[valduer]

Check out YouTube for some tutorials. You need to adjust your ranges, because pocket pairs aren't quite as strong as in NLHE of there not also double suited and well connected

 

[Bazil777]

Hello,

It's great that you're looking to expand your knowledge and skills in poker by learning Omaha. As you mentioned, there are some differences in Omaha compared to Texas Hold'em, such as the use of four hole cards and having to use two of them in your final hand.

Here are some tips that might help you improve your game in Omaha:

1. Starting hands: In Omaha, starting hands are more important than in Texas Hold'em because you have four hole cards instead of two. It's important to have a starting hand with good potential to make a strong hand. A hand with four cards that are coordinated or double-suited can be a good starting point.
2. Play tight pre-flop: As a beginner, it's better to play tight pre-flop and only play strong starting hands. Avoid playing marginal hands as it can get you in trouble post-flop.
3. Remember the nuts: In Omaha, the nuts (the best possible hand) is very important. You should always be aware of the possible nut hands on the board and try to make them if possible.
4. Use both hole cards: Always remember that you have to use two of your hole cards to make your final hand. Don't forget this and make sure you're not playing a hand that cannot be completed with your two hole cards.
5. Avoid overplaying weak hands: Just because you have a pair on the flop doesn't mean you have a strong hand. Be careful not to overplay a weak hand and lose a lot of chips.

I hope these tips will help you improve your game in Omaha. Good luck!

 

[theStarfish]

The fact you have to use two of your 4 hole cards leads to many card combinations. So often someone will have a big draw with many outs to straights and/or a flush. This means that often there will be a situation where all the money goes in on the flop in a 50/50 situation, e.g. between top set and a huge draw. So the swings are higher in PLO.
In the beginning try to play hands where all 4 cards fit together, e.g. 789T or a big pair with a suited ace, broadway cards or two big pairs . Remember, the average strength of a hand is higher than in Holdem. So often top pair or middle set is beaten on the flop. Even top set or a nut flush on a paired board can be the losing hand. So be prepared to fold these hands if necessary, something which you almost never do in Holdem.
But on the other hand with PLO being a "nuts game", if you have the ace of clubs for example and there is a possible club flush out there, you can try to bluff, because no one can have the nut flush with you having the ace of clubs. But I would say the most important thing is, that you only play strong hands in the beginning and to be aware of your hand strength and the draws you have and could be out there.

 

[Fernando Lopes]

In the beginning try to play hands where all 4 cards fit together, e.g. 789T

I don't get It. If you only can use two of your cards, why 789T would be good? Could you explain? I only played Omaha a few times, and i was crushed.

 

[theStarfish]

I don't get It. If you only can use two of your cards, why 789T would be good? Could you explain? I only played Omaha a few times, and i was crushed.

Because these hands (so called rundowns) can hit the board pretty good. For example, if the flop comes 678, you flop the nut straight (with 9T) and you have top two pair (with 78), so maybe you can make a full house on later streets, if a 7 or 8 comes on turn or river. The two cards you use from your hand can differ from street to street. In this example, if the board runs out 678A8 , you have the straight on the flop with 9T but after the river your best hand is a full house with Eights full of Sevens.
Or when the flop comes 58J, then you can make a straight with either a 6, 7, T or Q, so you have many outs. And maybe you have additional flush outs to your straight outs, although in this case it would not be to nut flush, so you have to be careful with hands, which are not the nuts, because they can be beaten.
So, that´s what I meant with board awareness. You have to know all the possibilities that are possible. It might be a bit confusing in the beginning, so take your time before acting.

 

[Fernando Lopes]

Because these hands (so called rundowns) can hit the board pretty good. For example, if the flop comes 678, you flop the nut straight (with 9T) and you have top two pair (with 78), so maybe you can make a full house on later streets, if a 7 or 8 comes on turn or river. The two cards you use from your hand can differ from street to street. In this example, if the board runs out 678A8 , you have the straight on the flop with 9T but after the river your best hand is a full house with Eights full of Sevens.
Or when the flop comes 58J, then you can make a straight with either a 6, 7, T or Q, so you have many outs. And maybe you have additional flush outs to your straight outs, although in this case it would not be to nut flush, so you have to be careful with hands, which are not the nuts, because they can be beaten.
So, that´s what I meant with board awareness. You have to know all the possibilities that are possible. It might be a bit confusing in the beginning, so take your time before acting.

This is a very clear and helpful explanation. Makes a lot of sense now! This is definitely a must-know before playing Omaha! Thank you, Starfish. I wonder now, whats kind of hand is better in Omaha Hi Lo. I need to starting study Omaha.

 

[theStarfish]

I wonder now, whats kind of hand is better in Omaha Hi Lo

Omaha H/L is not my best game, I try to play hands like A2 or A3 with additional two low cards, low card rundowns or similar hands like in PLO. But there are good articles to Omaha H/L on the internet.