Omaha Poker is commonly played with a pot limit.
You may have seen the abbreviation PLO, which stands for pot-limit Omaha.
After reading this article, you’ve got the option to jump into any game and start playing.
What is Omaha Poker?
Each round’s base game and steps are identical to Texas Hold’em, with one exception.
During the betting rounds, players can raise, call or fold.
Raising is when you increase the bet in the round.
When you call, you are meeting the raise, and keeping in the game.
If you fold, this is basically throwing away your cards and you will not continue in the round.
The Preflop
Before any cards are dealt, the small and big blinds need to be paid.
These are two fixed-price bets that two players must pay.
The position of the small and big blind shifts after every round.
Once the blinds are paid, the house deals every player 4 cards facing down.
The players can check their cards, also called hole cards.
The Flop
Once the preflop betting is over, the dealer will draw 3 communal cards.
This is called the flop.
Then, another round of betting will begin.
If two or more players remain, the round moves to the next phase.
This is followed by another round of betting.
The River
The dealer draws one last communal card, which is called the river.
If there are any remaining players, they have one last chance to make their bets.
If not, then the round moves into the final stage.
The player that can form the best 5-card poker hand wins the round.
This poker hand can only be formed with exactly 2 of the hole cards.
When the winner is determined, they take the pot.
This is a rare occurrence, but it can still happen.
Once the round is concluded, the dealer gathers all the cards and prepares for the next round.
Advice for New Players
After playing Texas Holdem, Omaha poker will feel amazing.
With double the number of hole cards, those pairs, straights and flushes will appear more often.
However, you should not lose your head.
Rounds can be far more volatile and therefore you should approach Omaha poker with caution.
You will find, once you start playing, that the game moves at a completely different pace.
What if there is a better hand available?
should you play for the solid pair or for the potential flush?
are you wasting a good hand or playing carefully?
It is best to make a run at pick 2 cards and stick to them.
However, if you keep second-guessing yourself each step of the way, this will affect how you play.
Do not be daunted by the four hole cards, just pick your strongest two and stick to them.
In most cases, these will form your best hand.
In pot-limit Omaha poker, you should be dubious about low pairs.
Be Cautious of Low Flushes and Straights
The same goes for flushes and straights.
There is no place for hesitation, so either raise or fold.
If you fold, you stash your money for the next round, where you may get better cards.
Limping (which is calling the bet each time) is punished quite severely.
Raise Tactfully
This relates to the tip about how you should avoid making calls.
Most players either raise or fold, and generally, they are not bluffing when they raise.
At a table with many players, bluffing is more difficult and can be costly.
A player that starts the preflop with a big raise usually has a good hand.
Use Your Position in the Betting Cycle
This tip goes for all poker variants.
Your position at the table can give you a massive advantage or it can put you in the dark.
Most players do not like having an early turn in each betting cycle.
It is a skill to bait the other players with a raise that does not give anything away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use 2 hole cards?
Yes, and you must use 2.
In Omaha poker games, you have to use 2 cards, no more and no less.
However, this only uses 1 out of your 4 hole cards, which is not allowed.
Instead, your best 5-card hand is a pair of 2s and the Queen, Jack and 10.
This is significantly weaker than the straight and the Queen high.
Why is Omaha Poker played with pot limits?
Omaha poker tends to bring stronger hands than Texas Hold’em.
As a result, players will raise more often and with larger amounts.
What is the worst hand I can be dealt?
The worst hand you’re free to be dealt in Omaha poker is four 2s.
The most you could bring out of that hand is a pair of 2s.
Conclusion
Pot-limit Omaha is offered at most online poker rooms and casinos.
It is not difficult to learn and it can be a highly thrilling and rewarding game.
