Omaha High is a poker game that has several distinct differences from Holdem.
Holdem hands use seven cards, the two in the player’s hand and five in the flop. Omaha High hands use nine cards, the four in the player’s hand and five in the flop. Those extra two cards make a world of difference on the value of the hand that will win the pot at show down. A big pair or two pair win many Holdem pots that’s not very likely in Omaha. The base hand is usually three of a kind or higher. There also will be far more flushes and full houses in Omaha than you will see in Holdem. The Holdem player that first sits into a Omaha game will be at a disadvantage until they realize these basic differences between the two games. Until they do understand these value differences in the game, they will donate a great deal of money to the other players in the game. Playing the wrong hand in the wrong game can get very expensive for the player making that mistake.

Good starting hands in Omaha High are high pairs, ace and another card of the same suit. Smaller pairs and lower suited cards are more of a gamble, but if the cards are rushing over the player, then almost any starting hand may work.

Betting, calling and raising are areas that are controlled by position, feel and the cards that are held. Bluffing in Omaha High is a little more difficult than Holdem as high hands are constantly being dealt in this version of poker. When first learning the game, the player is wise to just play the cards they are given and let the bluffing go until they have a little more playing experience.

Sand bagging or trapping in this game is rather easy to do by giving the impression that you are just hanging around and hoping that the right cards will be dealt in the flop. Be very careful with a low full house, as it can easily be beat if there are big cards in the flop. This type of hand can be very costly if you over play it against a bigger full house.

This game is fun to play and also very popular on some online sites. This is a game that takes time to play well, but is easier to be good at than Holdem. The rules of play once part of the player’s game are simple to keep in mind and keep players from making basic mistakes. Play the game correctly and win.