Omaha Poker Variants

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Omaha Poker Variants

As the poker boom increases so does the popularity of Omaha and the different Omaha poker variants. It only makes sense to touch on this every growing poker game; one that is rarely touched on and very much overlooked.

In reality when looked at seriously each and every Omaha tournament you enter is going to have easier competition. The world seems to know the game of NL Texas Hold'em like the back of their hands; this doesn't apply to the different Omaha poker variants giving you a much better chance in any game. This of course only applies if you take a serious attempt at learning the game of Omaha or already know it like the back of your hands.

Let’s take a look at Omaha poker variants and what each have to offer; specifically for those who are thinking of taking up the game and know little about it.

Omaha (Hi): The rules are the same as Texas Hold'em with a few slight differences. Firstly in Omaha you start with 4 hole cards and not two. You MUST use two of these cards plus chosen cards from the board (community cards) to make your hand. You may use no more and no less. Apart from this if one compares this and the the hi-lo Omaha poker variants, the same rules apply as Texas Hold'em Pot or Limit.

Omaha Hi/Lo: As with Omaha Hi you start with 4 hole cards. Again you must and can only use 2 of them. The main difference between the two Omaha poker variants while moving from Hi/Lo to Omaha Hi is that you can have a high and a low winner in each hand. The player with the “high hand” wins the high (hand rankings according to Texas Hold'em) and the player with nothing “low hand” wins the low. The pot is split evenly. If there is no low winner the high hand takes all.

As time goes on more and more players are taking up the different Omaha poker variants so I suggest an immediate switch to ensure you take advantage of the fishy competition, Remember that most people playing Omaha variants are learners and fishy is indeed a word to sum them up. Don't be one of them; do some learning first rather than try learning with your money on the tables.

Omaha poker variants have tournaments and cash table to suit most bankrolls. Regardless of the poker site chosen you should be able to afford to build an Omaha bank roll. It is suggested that you keep in mind that Omaha cash and Omaha tournaments have very different play structures so you need to make sure you have that part of your game very clear. The strategy used in the two Omaha poker variants varies dramatically. It is essential to learn cash to fund your Omaha tournament bankroll so cash / ring games are a certain starting point.

There is still big prize money to earn in these games. Do not think for a second you have no chance of playing and earning from them. In my first Omaha Hi tournament only a few months ago I placed 32^nd out of a massive 8985 players. With each player paying a $1 entry this accounts to a massive prize pool for little risk.

Take the switch and see how you go. You may be the next online or live champ in one or more Omaha poker variants. As with all poker variants you don't know your ability until you try!