Omaha

[Knowledge]

So I know there are a few avid Omaha players here. ATM I really only play NL Texas Holdem but I'd like to start playing Omaha - Don't know which one can some one explain the basics of Omaha and the difference in Normal Omaha and Omaha Hi/Lo or even link me to some sites.

Thanks guys

[Borgsta]

Well as you surely know by now in Omaha you start with 4 cards. 2 of these cards MUST be used. The rest is just like normal Texas Hold'Em. You have the flop, the turn and the river.

Hi/Lo just uses both a high and low aspect. High is the same as always (Royal Flush......etc), Low uses 5 cards 8 and under. Again you must use 2 of your cards in this 8 and under hand.

8,7,6,5,4 is the worst low hand, 5,4,3,2,A is the best. I believe Crosby once explained it by making it a full number (87,654 - 54,321) and the lower the number is, the better. IMO this is the easiest way to think of it.

The pot in Omaha Hi/Lo is split so there are actually 2 pots. Ideally you want to win both pots or at least share 1 pot and win the other.

Omaha Hi/Lo is a much more dangerous game (esp. PL) as there are usually 3-4 players in each pot (2 for high, 2 for low) in low limit games. Very difficult to win money consistently if you don't play tightly and are unable to lay down good hands. Try to stay clear of getting in all your money pre-flop.

[red+black]

Believe it or not, there are actually quite a few very good Omaha books (hi and 8b) on the market.

[Armwarmer]

I'm pretty much in your position, I have had very limited experience in Omaha.

Basically, I know that you get dealt 4 cards instead of two, and must use two in your final 5 card hand. You can't use 1, and 4 from the board. You can't use more than 2. Has to be two.

The betting structure is pot limit I think.

As for the High/Low variant, I think you declare either High or Low, before the showdown. If both people declare, the best high hand wins the pot. If someone misses their draw, fears they're beat, they can declare low. If they have the best low hand, they split the pot.

I think for example, say I have Two aces and a 2 of clubs, and a 3 of hearts.

If the cards come, Ace, Ace, four, seven, 10, king pretty much rainbow, I have an awesome high hand (quads) so will bet strongly and declare high.

Say I'm up against a guy that was chasing a double flush draw (four cards, two different suits, say: 2, 5 of hearts, jack, 10 of spades), and missed alot of outs on the river. He will declare low and use his 2 and 5, for a hand that consists of 2, 4, 5, 7, 10.

Because my low hand is actually lower than his, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, I take the whole pot. If the low hands were reversed, the pot would be split.

[red+black]

As for the High/Low variant, I think you declare either High or Low, before the showdown. If both people declare, the best high hand wins the pot. If someone misses their draw, fears they're beat, they can declare low. If they have the best low hand, they split the pot.
Incorrect, no one declares anything. At showdown, cards speak. Half the pot goes to high, half goes to the best qualifying low, if any.

A split for low is common, which is called being quartered.

Your aim is to scoop both high and low, such as a nut flush for high and a wheel for low.

I think for example, say I have Two aces and a 2 of clubs, and a 3 of hearts.

If the cards come, Ace, Ace, four, seven, 10, king pretty much rainbow, I have an awesome high hand (quads) so will bet strongly and declare high.

Say I'm up against a guy that was chasing a double flush draw (four cards, two different suits, say: 2, 5 of hearts, jack, 10 of spades), and missed alot of outs on the river. He will declare low and use his 2 and 5, for a hand that consists of 2, 4, 5, 7, 10.

Because my low hand is actually lower than his, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, I take the whole pot. If the low hands were reversed, the pot would be split.

Your low is 7432A, his is 7542A. You win the low (you have the nut low in fact). And remember hi-lo has an 8 qualifier.

[Armwarmer]

Yea, it seems quite complicated compared to Holdem, but it seems pretty awesome. Need to buy a book and learn how to play it.

[Crosby87]

It's pretty easy once you get the hang of it. I think if it got more TV exposure, people would play it more often.

The betting structure is pot limit I think.

Hi/Lo is more commonly played at Limit... there is PL Hi/Lo, but that's evil. Pot Limit Omaha is more commonly played than Omaha Hi (the limit variant). There's also NL Omaha, but that's really only played online at low limits.

[Knowledge]

HI/Lo seems complicated as, lol.Think I'm going to start with regular omaha.

[red+black]

For those newer to the poker forum, care to hazard a guess as to the single worst starting hand in Omaha?

[Crosby87]

8,7,6,5,4 is the worst low hand, 5,4,3,2,A is the best. I believe Crosby once explained it by making it a full number (87,654 - 54,321) and the lower the number is, the better. IMO this is the easiest way to think of it.

Correct. Just think of it as them being ranked by the high card... except in reverse. So a A-3-4-5-7 will be called a "Seven", and a 2-4-5-7-8 an "eight", so obviously the lower wins... the seven.

Then when you have A-3-4-5-7 vs. A-2-3-6-7 type deals, they're both "sevens", so you rank the second card. 5 is lower than 6, so the "5-7" beats the "6-7" etc.

Then there's rough and smooth, but I won't get into that.

HI/Lo seems complicated as, lol.Think I'm going to start with regular omaha.

Probably the best way to go, but you can find some play money tables to practice.

[Armwarmer]

For those newer to the poker forum, care to hazard a guess as to the single worst starting hand in Omaha?

I haven't got a clue about Omaha, so my guess would be... 2, 5, 8, jack all different suits?

[Knowledge]

I started playing Omaha(PL) on stars at 0.01c/0.02c. Sat down with 3 dollars and am already to 14$. It's a good definatly a very enjoyable game and I'm already able to tell what are the good and bad starting hands. Good switchup from texas.

[red+black]

I haven't got a clue about Omaha, so my guess would be... 2, 5, 8, jack all different suits?

Nice guess, but no. You could still hit quads, trips or two pair, but you're heading in the right direction though by suggesting a rainbow starting hand.

[The Great Gabsby]

For those newer to the poker forum, care to hazard a guess as to the single worst starting hand in Omaha?

It's 2222 isn't it? No straight, flush, trips possibilities. Basically you have to win the hand with a pair of 2s...

[red+black]

Bingo.

[Armwarmer]

lol, ofcourse.

Wonder what the best hand is?

AAKK with only two suits would obviously be very strong.

What about AKsuited+J10suited. Or... AA+J10suited differently to both aces.

From the Omaha I've played, drawing seems way stronger than in Holdem. Your hand can be leading at the flop, but still be a 6-4 dog or worse.

[Knowledge]

Seat 6: Berkyy showed [7h Ad 2d 7c] and won ($28.06) with a flush, Ace high

[Crosby87]

http://www.pokertop10.com/omaha_pot_hands.html - Omaha Hi top 10 hands

http://www.pokertop10.com/omaha-start-hands.html - Omaha Hi/Lo top 10 hands

[sheller891]

can you use all 4 CARDS in your hand and only 1 community card?

[Knowledge]

can you use all 4 CARDS in your hand and only 1 community card?

No has to be 2 of your cards.

[AndSmithMustScore]

I'm a gun Omaha player, as well as a gun Razz player.

Simple game.

Make a hand out of 3 of the 5 cards on the table with 2 of your 4 cards.

Screw Texas Holdem is dull.

HORSE is for the ultimate poker players :thumbsu:

Anyone else play that?

[red+black]

From the Omaha I've played, drawing seems way stronger than in Holdem. Your hand can be leading at the flop, but still be a 6-4 dog or worse.
You could be justified to fold a set on the flop.

[Crosby87]

I'm a gun Omaha player, as well as a gun Razz player.

Simple game.

Make a hand out of 3 of the 5 cards on the table with 2 of your 4 cards.

Screw Texas Holdem is dull.

HORSE is for the ultimate poker players :thumbsu:

Anyone else play that?

I wish Party Poker had Razz.

[AndSmithMustScore]

I wish Party Poker had Razz.

Pokerstars has Razz, Omaha and HORSE on it play money tourneys which are good for people new to the styles to learn on.

[Crosby87]

Full Tilt has HORSE ring games. Even SHOE and a Hold'em/Omaha Hi/Lo mixed game.

[Crosby87]

One good thing about FTP is watching the pros. Right now there's a 1k/2k HORSE game going with Gus Hansen, Jennifer Harman, Eli Elezra, Chip Reese and Phil Hellmuth.