Strategic poker equals Omaha

Pot limit Omaha is poker with strategy. It is advisable to play a tight game, focussing on pre-flop and flop play as the take or break betting rounds.

European casino players adore pot-limit Omaha. The game has become so popular that it even features in bigger poker tournaments. Pot-limit Omaha calls for strategy, skill and discipline. A player has to remember a number of things simultaneously and the aim of this write up is to help you improve your game. Balance your bluffs and semi-bluffs with solid play, remember the importance of pre-flop and flop play and playing correctly during these crucial betting rounds will smooth the ride through the turn and the river.

Even though this write up endeavours to give you some general guidelines, remember to follow your own instinct during actual play as no particular piece of advice is applicable in all situations.

Points to keep in mind • Carefully select your hand • Pay attention to select the best table • Exercise discipline, wait for a good hand • Learn to read your opponents • Do not be afraid to bet or raise

More than most other poker games, Omaha is a hand-driven game. Opportunities to bluff are rare because more players see the flop and unlike other poker games, position is not as important in Omaha because of the same reason. Deciding which starting hand is profitable is the greater portion of mastering the art of pot-limit Omaha. Starting hands that hold straight, flush and set potential are very desirable in Omaha. A tight table (usually a full table) requires that you play much more aggressively, more pre-flop raising and more bluffing. The number of players usually determines whether a table is tight or loose. Then you also have to take into account how many players are in the pot before it is your turn. More players in the pot gives you more information to play more hands.

Raising with a variety of hands during the pre-flop gives you the edge, other players will find it difficult to read your play, giving you more opportunities to bluff. A good combination of raising and limping is best though, this confuses your opponents sufficiently to give you the advantage.