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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.

Combining semi-bluffs and conservative hand strategy delivers maximum value to the hands of successful Omaha players. Proper hand selection in Omaha requires a combination of proper reads, discipline, patience and organization to your play. In Omaha you can see a growing number of flops allowing you to use any two (or four) cards as if they are in your hand. Since there are more players, the pots tend to be large. Having the strongest possible hand (“the nuts”) is frequently the best recipe to playing 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

Getting pot values in Omaha by playing even more quality hands is a good idea. Players frequently will be overconfident in their hands opening up the possibility of drawing to other hands. Because other players are holding four hole cards keep in mind that a low flush is unlikely to hold. In Omaha, the best hand is Ace-Ace-King-King with two suited A-K’s then doubled suited J-T-A-A. Hence, looking at a straight or flush gives draw hands an even greater possible value in Omaha.

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.

If you are looking at the best possible draw, it’s a good semi-bluff strategy to play strong. For example if you’re drawing to the Ace flush, or a high straight then building the pot makes sense. This aggressive play gives you a chance to win the pot even if you miss your draw, by causing all the other players to fold. Drawing to the best hand possible will repeatedly allow you to outplay your opponents. If you are holding a decent but marginal hand the best move forward is to wait for another opportunity to get an even better hand. Selected aggression combined with patience will pay off in advanced Omaha play.

The author is a successful limit cash game player. He plays poker online and receives Fortune Rakeback and Interpoker Rakeback.

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