Main principles of winning in Omaha poker. Part 5

Problem hands 

Excellent hands are played automatically, and terrible hands are also played automatically. What matters is how you play a marginal hand, which may be the cause of your winnings or bankruptcy in poker. Problem hands are means of existence for the player. Vitally important decisions taken at such hands distinguish real champions from amateurs.

Anyone can play with a powerful hand or on a powerful flop and win the pot. And most of the players can recognize bad hands and get rid of them cheaply. The decisions you make on average hands distinguish men from the boys, and women from the girls in the poker world. And in such situations, you either lose or win major sum of money.

You might get a very good deal, when the cards are dealt very well for you, or you might get a very bad deal, in which you have not caught a single good card. And you can lose on good cards, playing with a player who has better cards, for example, when a situation is "set on set”, and your set is youngest, or when you put all your money on a set or two top pairs, and your opponent hits flush on the river and wins, or when you have flush, and opponent improves his combination with help of river card. That's why bad players sometimes win deals against very strong professional opponents. But this is what makes the less experienced players to play again.

In all poker games you'll be rewarded for making correct decisions (in the long run). Play with the marginal, average hands that requires from player to have certain abilities, distinguishes winners from losers. What exactly will you do if you have made two top pairs on the flop (in Omaha such hand can have crucial importance). It is important to distinguish between situations where you have to keep playing, because the chances are great, and when immediately fold such hand.

Alternatively, suppose you have a possible flush from King, the second nuts flush, and your intuition tells you that you are playing against the nuts flush. A strong player will fold this hand, and the weak can not resist the opportunity to make the second-highest flush. And when it comes to showdown, he loses even more money.

Have you heard about a farmer who lost three farms, trying unsuccessfully to catch the card to the gut shot straights? And then he lost the fourth, when once again tried to catch the card and still caught it...

All the same principles apply to Omaha. Persistent failures in making only the nuts combinations or inability to recognize when your possible combination younger than the nuts, but still - the best in this situation ... Here then comes skill. Knowing that a possible flush from King - the best flush in deal, and when you make it, then possibly flush from Queen will pay you, requires great skill. As well as knowing that your hand with two top pairs - the best, and assuming measures to protect your hand, that exclude opponents from the game. These solutions bring you profit on a long distance.

Weak player remembers only those cases where he was able to make some combination. Bad players have selective memory. They forget when

• they couldn't make a combination, and 

• could, but still lost

Omaha is very unpredictable game. This means that a weak player can play any cards, can catch enough good cards or accidentally make enough combinations in separate day in order to have a very successful individual winning playing session. But loose game in the long run practically guarantees horrific results, with consequent inevitable losing.

Main principles of winning in Omaha poker. Part 4

Straights in Limit and Pot-Limit Omaha

In limit Omaha you will play such situations that even don't consider in pot-limit Omaha. In a limit game you will call raises with more specific hands than in pot-limit game. If you make nuts straight on the flop in Omaha hi-limit, you'll play further, even if flop has two suited cards, while in pot-limit, you will drop these cards in pass, if someone makes a raise. 

Of course, you shouldn't pass, if all flop cards are of different suits. If you have nuts straight on the flop in this situation, and someone raises, then most likely, he has set, since it is obvious that on the flop it is not possible to make a flush. In this case, you are a favorite (since he can only win if board is paired) and can play further. 

The idea is that in limit Omaha you will play with the nuts-straight, even if flop has two suited cards, because it will cost you one bet per round. But in the pot-limit Omaha, it can cost you a whole stack in one round, if pot is sufficiently large. Thus, the main difference between the two games is the choice of playing combinations, made on the flop.

The role of the position 

Position is more important in pot-limit than in limit Omaha. In Limit games, you know that players call bets having draw combinations, and they will call again on fourth street.

But in pot-limit of such things do not happen, because making of possible combination can cost too much. Basically, the main difference between limit and pot-limit Omaha is how many times you'll get to the fifth street in a limit game, compared to how many times you'll do this in pot-limit. 

Also, limit Omaha has always more multi-pots, while in the pot-limit games is great probability of  heads-up play or play between three players at most (it's very rare in pot-limit with a big pot when more than three players remain in game before fifth street). Either hitting the flop or hitting a draw to the nuts is more important in pot-limit games than in limit. 

Top and lowest pair

With a combination of top and lowest pair made on the flop, you can play against one opponent, but if there are more opponents then for Omaha it is not that sort of situation in which you can call a bet. And even more you do not need to play the two lowest pairs. The two lowest pairs in any form of Omaha bring death and destruction.

Suppose you are playing Limit Omaha, with hand with “dangler”, K-Q-J-2, and the flop comes K-8-2. You have a pair of kings and a pair of deuces on the flop, top and lowest pairs. If someone makes a bet, you call and get re-raise, there is a great possibility that you are playing against set, or at least, kings and eights. Then you have troubles.

Even if you have a hand with a made pair, and you have made the youngest set on the flop, you should be ready to throw the cards, if you will be placed get raise. That's why lowest pairs can lead you into a world of misery, if with their help you will make a set on the flop. In Omaha sets are much more common than in other games. A situation "set against set" is a common thing in Omaha, while in Texas Hold'em is relatively rare. If you play in pot-limit on big money, then you absolutely do not need to play game having only the youngest set.

Main principles of winning in Omaha poker. Part 3

Getting into the flow

Someone once suggested constantly ask yourself following question: "If I make a combination, will it be winning? » This is an excellent rule for beginners, but I think that after acquiring some experience, everything should start to come to you naturally. Answers to such questions - this is what you need to know beforehand; all this should come to you during the game. You must not falter and think "If this card comes, then I'm OK, and if this card comes, then things are in a bad way." As long as you can not play any poker game, maintaining a smooth pace, you can not win. 

I never think about my hand. Period.

And I do not care what kind of game this is. I always do all naturally, because I'm playing cards. Good players surely will "read" you; they know how to "read" opponents. But if you always play with a uniform rate, they will not be able to "read" anything. They may think that something is known to them, but are not sure. 

Playing bridge, you must have three or four stored skillful moves. You need to learn to play poker the same way. Everything should be in your head - if comes one card, I'll make one, if comes another, I'll do another, and if neither of them comes, I can not do anything at all - to make a quick move, when flop comes. You should always play in front of yourself. "Immediately after opening of flop, you need to know how you're going to play your hand until the end of the deal, depending on which card will be on the table after flop. 

Raises in pot-limit Omaha

In any tournament of pot-limit Omaha, there are no hands, on which you can make a raise pre-flop. I do not say that you shouldn't re-raise on double-suited aces to knock out the one remaining player. If possible - of course, you can do it. But whatever hand you have, you will rarely make the first raise. Do you know how often players lose in tournaments and cash games, having a pair of aces? - Unimaginable amount of times! 

You see, this first raise will never be large enough to "squeeze out" opponents. They know that you have, in most cases. That's why I make a raise in cash games on T-T-9-8, for example, from late position, I want them to "read», that I have aces. And then I want to flop average cards, and then see what happens.

If someone plays a decent hand, he, at least will call the first raise. You can not knock out with first raise, so let them make the raise. If you want to do something in pot-limit Omaha, then look at the situation this way – in pot three players are involved, one of them made a raise, and other two has called. At this point there are enough money in pot, so you can "squeeze out» all of them, or all but one, if you make re-raise, equal to the value of pot. You see, pot must be large enough in pot-limit, to allow you to invest enough money in order to knock out other players from deal. That's why I think that for a good player no hand has a large enough value to make the first raise in pot-limit Omaha.

Main principles of winning in Omaha poker. Part 2

Danger from Dangler

Many people play these hands, which are called "three cards with dangler. Let's say you have K-Q-J-2. Obviously, the deuce doesn't link with other cards - this is dangler. But you can see how many people play with hands of this type, even a lot of good players in big games. They know that they have three high cards, which can have a straight, nut full house or top set, so they do not take into account how it is valuable to have a fourth linked card. As for me, I can not do that. I will not play a hand with dangler like K-Q-J-2, even if the king and deuce are suited, because in such situation you'll never make nuts flush. 

You should have four cards that link with each other, one way or another.  Situations in which you can view the game with three-card combination, usually consist of small banks, in late position (if you're on the button or in front of him), and when your three cards are certainly strong.

I can't put my money on such combinations (as K-Q-J-2), while in the free position. Another thing, if you are on the big or small blind. 

But let's face it - we are talking here about Omaha! Many people played a lot of combinations, and they do not always have four linked cards  ... They also play with three-card combinations. Yes, and in most cases they lose game.

Strong hands in Omaha Hi

A computer program of comparing combinations in Omaha, which calculates the percentage of winning a particular hand against the other hand, shows that double-suited A-A-K-K is best possible starting hand in Omaha High. Many people do not agree with computer. 

They think that the best possible starting hand in Omaha Hi is double-suited A-A-J-T. It is obvious that with such a hand you can make more straights than with A-A-K-K. Of course, you will not have the three kings with A-A-J-T, but the only thing that gives you the presence of K-K  is an opportunity to have three (or four) of kings. A-A-J-T nullifies the force of the Kings in such way that with this hand there are many more combinations that will be favorites, if you make them.

If flop hits K-Q, then you will have open-ended straight and over pair. If he hits 7-8-9, you have a winning combination with the J-T. If flop hits 8-9, then you have a great open-ended straight and aces are also very strong. Practically every straight you can make with J-T and two aces, is winning, and also you can still form nuts flush in any of your suits. 

Plus, see what happens if the flop comes J-J-x or T-T-x. You have top set with a top kicker, who works for you (and over pair). And in most cases, when flop hits little pair, you have the opportunity to win the pot with aces. With flop like 7-7-2, for example, you can win with the sevens and aces. Consequently, many people believe,  that the hand number one in the limit, and in pot-limit Omaha is double-suited A-A-J-T. 

Knowledge of opponents

As in any other version of poker, playing in Omaha, you need to know the players at your table. Who will raise on bare aces before flop, unable to make a flush? Who will not? Who will raise, with only double-suited A-x-A-x? (And there are many such players). And who will raise only on double-suited A-K-Q-J?  You must know how player plays (his image and playing pattern).

Main principles of winning in Omaha poker. Part 1

One of the most important things in Omaha, that you need to learn - is that all forms of Omaha are built on the value of starting hands. That is the value of the starting hand is usually predominant in comparison with the position, which is much less important in Omaha than in limit or pot-limit Texas Hold'em.

You should always start with four cards, which are somehow linked. On the flop, you must have either the best possible combination or the possibility to form such one in order to continue play with your hand. If you have a drawing hand, then your possible combination must win the pot when you make it. If you're making flush, it must be nuts flush. If you make straight, make nuts straight. In other words, you have to make only the best combination. 

Best possible combination with backup variant

This principle, which is important in cash games and that is very important in the tournament: If you have drawing hand, then you should have a backup variant to your drawing combination – subsidiary drawing combination. For example, in Omaha Hi, you can form a top or second set on the flop, plus possible nuts flush or nuts straight. With your backup variant (or variants) in your hand it is much more likely to win than if you had just set.

Now let's say that you play in a tournament in pot-limit Omaha and formed a set on the flop, and in your hand it is not possible to form a flush or straight (no backup). If on the fourth street a card to a straight or flush is opened, than will you call a big bet to try to get a pair on fifth street? You must be extremely cautious in such situations in tournaments, when it is so important to have a backup possible combination.

Pot-Limit Omaha is the only one ever invented game in which you can form nuts on the flop, and you'll have to throw it. Suppose you have formed nuts straight on the flop and bet. If there are two suited cards on board and more than one player have called you, then it is possible that someone has set, and another, most likely, possible nuts flush, and you'll lose in this round. 

Here lies the difference between pot-limit and limit Omaha. In limit Omaha, where it cost only one bet, you have to play your hand and hope that no one will beat you. But in pot-limit Omaha you should put all your money in the pot and pray that your hand will be the best at showdown, so often the best thing you can do is to muck your hand. All the best tournament players did this a hundred thousand times.

And what about the possible nuts flush in pot-limit Omaha without backup variants? For a lot of money, it would be a bad bet, especially heads up. But if pot is big, everything can be different. Sometimes in pot can be a lot of money before the flop, and you receive call from three or four players. In this case, if you have four-card nuts flush on the flop, and somebody made a bet before you, and several of players have already called, most likely, you really very want to continue. But you should not be the first one who starts betting with such hand - you first have to check everything, because everything you have is a possible combination. 

Now you have same situation in the cash game. Here you need to call bet, when pot is great, and if you do not mind getting some more money out of pocket in case of losing. But in a tournament (except cases when you have a lot of chips and you're just trying to grab more) you just can not call, because if you lose, you'll leave tournament.

You can play a much greater number of hands after the flop in limit Omaha than in pot-limit. That's the difference between them: you can use the combination of a limit game, which you would have never used in pot-limit game, or tournament. But in both situations it is always good to have a backup variant.

Omaha Hi (PLO)

Now after we've introduced basic rules of poker, let's move to the definition of Omaha.
Omaha hold 'em (or Omaha holdem or simply Omaha) is a kind of "Hold'em", where each player is dealt four cards and must make his best hand using exactly two of them, plus exactly three of the five community cards.
Now, it is the fastest growing poker game in the  world.
Mainly, Omaha is played in pot-limit variant. That's why she is also known as Pot-Limit Omaha or PLO.

Omaha appeared in Nevada in 1982, as a lady that charmed everyone, both professionals and amateurs due to glory or despair capabilities.

At each session, from hands to hands move huge sums of money, because pots are on average two times higher than in Texas Hold'em. Involved in the game a lot of money and understanding that Omaha - is the future of poker, have created unprecedented in history of poker opportunities for earning money. 

The main reason for growing popularity of Omaha is its great attraction for the action players. These people are like big banks and short intervals between rounds of play. They overestimate the factor of luck in the game and for some reason think that the are luckier than anyone else. 

 So why it is called Omaha - after all, as stated above, the game appeared in Nevada. The reason is as follows. Normal Hold'em was played in Nevada in two forms: the popular form of Texas Hold’em, where the player was allowed to use any five of the seven cards available to him, and other more rare form, where he must play exactly two cards from his hole cards. It was this rare form that was called Omaha (she is called for some reason the Greek Hold'em). Therefore, residents of Nevada have already used the word "Omaha” in order to identify the two cards from hole cards, which must be showed at the showdown. 

When the game appeared in Las Vegas she was named Omaha, in order to emphasize the fact that must be used exactly two cards from hole cards.

In matters of gambling Nevada sets the tone for the whole world. Now you know the origin of name of four-card game from Hold’em family, which had many local names in the eighties.

Flow of play in "Hold'em"

"Holdem" is a family of poker games (Texas Hold'em, Omaha) with common structure and betting characteristics.

Each player is dealt some number (depending on kind of a game; for example, in Texas Hold'em - two, in Omaha - four) of cards ("hole cards") which belong only to that player. Five community cards are dealt face-up on the "board". All players may use these cards in conjunction with their own hole cards to make the best five-card poker hand possible. 

In "Hold'em", a disc also known as "the button", serves to indicate which player is the nominal dealer for the current game. Before the game begins, the player immediately clockwise from the button posts the "small blind", typically half a small bet (for example, $1 in a $2/$4 game). The player immediately clockwise to the small blind posts the "big blind", which is always a full small bet (for example, $2 in a $2/$4 game). Now, each player receives his or her hole cards. Betting action proceeds around the table, starting with the player immediately clockwise to the big blind. 

Players may now fold, check, call the big blind, or raise. In Limit games, the raise is limited to one small bet. In Pot Limit the maximum raise is the pot (the amount currently in the pot, plus his call), whereas in No Limit the maximum raise can be any amount of chips.

Now, the "flop" is dealt face-up on the board. The flop is the first three community cards available to all active players. Betting begins with the active player immediately clockwise the button. Again, in Limit games, all bets and raises at this point occur in small bets (increments of $2 in a $2/$4 game).

When betting action is completed for the flop round, the "turn" is dealt face-up on the board. The turn is the fourth community card in a "Hold'em" game. Betting begins with the active player immediately clockwise the button. On this round in Limit games, betting doubles from the small bet to the big bet. In a $2/$4 game, betting on the turn is done in $4 increments. 

When betting action is completed for the turn round, the "river" is dealt face-up on the board. The river is the fifth and final community card in a "Hold'em" game. Betting begins with the active player immediately clockwise from the button. 

If there is more than one remaining player when the final betting round is complete, the last bettor or raiser shows his or her cards. If there was no bet on the final round, the player immediately clockwise the button shows his or her cards first. The player with the best five-card hand wins the pot. In the event of identical hands, the pot will be equally divided between the players with the best hands.

After the pot is awarded, a new game of "Hold'em" is ready to begin. The button now moves clockwise to the next player.

Poker hand rankings

Royal Flush: The highest possible poker hand, a royal flush combines an Ace high straight and a flush. Made up of an Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten, all of the same suit. If two players hold a royal flush, they split the pot.

Straight Flush: A straight flush is like a royal flush, with five cards forming a straight and flush, but not an Ace high. An example of a straight flush is, a nine, eight, seven, six and five all of the same suit. When two players hold a straight flush, the player whose hand starts with the highest card wins. When both hands contain the same high card, they split the pot.

Four of a Kind: A hand containing four cards of the same rank, like four Aces or four Jacks. When two players each have a four of a kind, the highest ranked hand wins. In the event that both players hold the same four of a kind, the player with the highest fifth card, often called a kicker, wins the pot.

Full House: Three cards of one rank and two of another rank form a full house. Examples of full houses include three Kings and two tens or three fours and two Aces. When two players have a full house, the player with the highest three of a kind wins the pot. In the two examples, the hand with three Kings is the higher hand.

Flush: A flush is a hand with all five cards of the same suit, either five Hearts, Clubs, Spades or Diamonds. When two or more players each have a flush, the hand with the highest card wins. If two hands have the same highest card, the next highest card is compared, and so on, until one hand is determined to be higher than the other.

Straight: Five cards in numerical sequence form a straight, like six, five, four, three and two. When two or more players have a straight, the one with the highest card wins. If two players have straights with the same highest card, they split the pot. Suits do not matter when determining the strength of a straight. An Ace can play as the highest card, in Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten, or the low card in five, four, three, two, Ace. The Ace is the only rank that can be used this way.

Three of a kind: Three cards of the same rank, like three Jacks or three eights. When two players have three of a kind, the highest ranked three of a kind wins the pot. If two players have the same three of a kind, the player with the highest fourth card wins.

Two pair: A hand consisting of two cards of the same rank, in combination with two other cards of the same rank, like two tens and two sixes. When two players have two pair, the one with the highest pair wins. If two players have the same highest pair, the highest second pair wins, followed by the highest fifth card, or kicker.

One pair: Hands that contain only two cards of the same rank, like two Aces or two Jacks, with three unmatched cards have one pair. When two or more players have one pair, the highest pair wins. If two players have the same pair, the highest third card wins.

High card: A hand containing none of the combinations listed above ranks as a high card hand. When two or more players have high card hands, the highest card wins, followed by the second highest card, third highest card, etc. in the case of ties. Hands are ranked from Ace down through two.

Poker Rules

If you think of ‘poker’ you naturally think of Texas Hold’em. That’s natural – it’s Hold’em that you see being played on TV all the time. But many variations of poker exist, but all of them share certain basic rules. All poker games involve betting on the strength of a poker hand, and all poker games feature a "pot" that those bets go into. The player with the strongest hand, or the only player left in the pot after everyone else folds, wins the pot.


In some games the pot is split between the highest hand at the table and the lowest hand. These games include Omaha 8 and Stud 8. And in Razz, the pot is awarded to the player with the lowest hand at the end of all rounds of betting.

Most of poker games are played with 52-card deck. There are 13 cards (from deuce to Ace) and four suits (heart, spade, diamond, club).
All poker games also feature a mandatory bet of some kind. In stud and draw poker games, this is usually called an "ante" and is wagered every hand. In holdem games, this is usually called a "blind" and is wagered when it's the player's turn to post the blind. Some holdem games have antes in addition to blinds.

All poker games feature one or more betting rounds in which the player can make one of the following betting choices:

 
• Checking
• Betting
• Folding
• Calling
• Raising
 

When a player has not bet prior to his action, he has the option of checking. To check is to stay in the hand without betting. The person clockwise from the person who checks then gets to act. If everyone checks all around the table, then the betting round is complete, and no money is added to the pot.

Another option a player has when no one else has bet before him is to bet. Every player after the bettor has to choose to fold, call or raise. A player can't check once someone else at the table has bet into the pot.

Folding means giving up any chance of winning the pot, but it also means the player doesn't add any money to the pot. A player who folds is out of action until the next hand is dealt.

To call a bet is to put enough money in the pot to match the bettor's bet. If it's the final round of betting, the person who bet originally has to show his hand to the caller.

To raise a bet is to put more money into the pot, so that the original bettor has to add more money to the pot to stay in the hand. Someone who bets and is subsequently raised by a player later in the betting round also has the option of folding.

When the betting rounds are complete, if there are multiple players still in the pot, there is a "showdown", where the remaining players show their hands to each other. The person with the best hand wins the pot. If there is only one person left in the pot at the end of a betting round (i.e. everyone else folds), that person does not have to show his hand, and he automatically wins the pot.

Poker games are almost always played using a tradition called "table stakes", which means that only the chips that are on the table can be used to bet during a hand. A corollary to this "table stakes" rules is the "all-in" rule, which says that a player doesn't have to forfeit his stake in a pot just because he doesn't have enough chips to cover a bet or a raise. If all of a player's chips are in the pot, he's considered all-in, and additional bets and raises from other players after he is all in go into a side pot. The all-in player has no stake in the subsequent side pot, but does have a chance to win the pot he has a stake in.

There are hundreds of poker variations that are played both online and off. The most popular poker games are Texas Holdem, Seven Card Stud, and Omaha games, as well as variations like Razz and HORSE. Each variant has its own rules variations, but the betting basics are essentially the same from game to game.