Omaha Emergency Kit for Hold’em Players

Contributed by: jbharshaw
Updated: Mar 17, 2007
Views: 2368

It happens to almost everyone eventually. You click on the wrong button, misread the lobby, or simply zone out. For what ever reason, when the first cards are dealt, you find yourself holding four cards instead of two. You are now stuck in an Omaha tournament with two choices: Give it up, or try to make the best of it. Here is a quick and dirty how to. It isn't meant to make you an Omaha player, but it will allow you to acquaint yourself with some dignity, and with a little luck you might make some money.

General guidance for Omaha:

• Omaha is a game of the nuts. Your 4 cards give you 6 Hold'em hands. That puts 48 hands around the table in an 8 seat game. If you don't have the nuts, someone else does.
• If there is a pair on board, someone has a fullhouse. Even if you have a fullhouse, there is a high probability that there are others.
• If there is a flush on board, someone has the flush. If the flop contains 2 flush cards, there is a 2:1 chance that someone will make the flush. Don't draw to a straight.
• The idiot end of straight does not win.
• A set in Omaha has about the same value as a pair in Hold ‘em. Bottom set equals bottom pair.
• Big bets generally mean big hands.
• Two pair is roughly equal to a King high bust in Hold ‘em.
• A made hand is often the underdog: Folding the Nuts
• Two aces is a bad hand unless supported by the other two cards. (A-A-9-9 for example is not a good hand unless it is also suited.)
• Raising to limit the field, seldom works.

Omaha High only

• The best starting hands involve 4 card straights. Suited is nice but remember the nut flush is often there.
• Runner, runner flush has more value than a flopped draw that gets there.
• If there are 3 to a flush or straight on the board, a set is a drawing hand.

Omaha High/Low

• Play for the scoop. Do not draw to a hand that will only win half the pot, unless the pot odds are astronomical.
• Ties usually lose in Omaha High/Low
• A lone A-2 or A-x suited is not worth a call; even combined it is weak holding unless supported by the other cards.
• Since low cards are prized by most players, Wheels and low straights occur often. Don't think your high pair or high trips, is good for half the pot.
• Many experts suggest you should not play if you don't have an ace. As a result many players believe any Ace is worth playing.
• If the flop has 2 cards above an eight and you have a reasonable high holding you should consider a bet or raise to eliminate low draws.
• If there is no qualifying low, the High Hand scoops the pot.
• Do not play hands based on a 9: Nines are negative EV

Omaha is a post flop game. Many players see the flop and then draw to the nuts. Pre-flop raising should be considered as value betting with premium hands. If the flop does not fit, abandon your hand immediately. Finally do not draw for half the pot, unless the pot is very very big.

Good Luck
jb

Omaha Emergency Kit for Hold’em Players

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Omaha Emergency Kit for Hold’em Players