Pot Limit Omaha - Advanced Strategy

by Michael Allen Engel

Previously, we had looked at the basics of Omaha - structure, starting requirements, and some of the things a beginning player could expect. This article will get more in-depth and look at some of the odds and styles one can utilize during an Omaha session.

Since most Omaha hands have numerous possibilities, you can get away with playing more loosely before the flop. With the proper approach, a loose style has an opportunity to hit a lot of flops well and provide stealing opportunities as well as openings to get a lot of value out of cards that a hold’em player wouldn’t play. The important thing to remember, however, is that playing loosely before the flop isn’t a crime, but playing loosely after the flop can be, especially if you’re drawing to weak hands.

Most of the big pots in Omaha involve match-ups of a straight against a higher straight, a straight against a flush, a small flush against a larger flush, and so on. Basically, the pattern is, you want to hit a strong hand, but you also have to be aware of the ways your hand can be beaten. If you flop a straight, bet the pot and get two callers, the turn card can be very dangerous. If the board pairs on the turn or a third flush card hits, you might try to bet, but if you get raised big, you’re probably beat, and have to have the discipline to lay down a hand.

On that note, if you have a big pair in your hand and don’t hit a set on the flop, unless you don’t have a draw, you’re mostly done with the hand. One pair is rarely a winner by the river in Omaha.

The best situation is to have a hand that either has a made hand on the flop with other cards that can improve your hand. If the flop is 5-6-7 and you have 8-9-T-J in your hand, you’ve got the nut straight plus any 8, 9 or 10 will improve your hand since the nuts can change. If someone else has the 8-9 and no improving cards, you’re likely to win a lot of money off of them.

Likewise, suited cards can both complete a flush and serve to block a flush draw. The presence of two suited cards in your hand decreases your opponents’ odds at drawing to the flush from about 2-1 with two cards to go to 2.71-1. It’s a small difference, but over the long term it can stop the flush from hitting nearly 9% of the time. The suited cards can also give you a winning flush, though it’s best not to trap yourself into thinking any flush is good.

With experience, you’ll learn players’ tendencies and get a feel for when a hand that isn’t the nuts is good and you’ll be able to get value for it. Otherwise, it’s best to play for the nuts. If you draw to a flush, don’t pay a lot unless it’s with the ace of that suit in your hand. There’s nothing worse than running down to the river and having your king-high flush be second best.