If you are familiar with the concept of Texas Hold ’em and are looking for a bit of variety in poker, then Omaha is the perfect choice for you. Omaha or Omaha Hold ’em is a version of Hold ’em poker that most players learn after having mastered the Texas version of the game. Omaha has become one of the most widely played card games in Canadian casinos. This article will tell you all about Omaha poker, where and how to play Omaha, what Omaha poker rules are, and more.
Where to Play Omaha?
First of all, you would want to have a wide choice of Canadian poker sites where you can learn about Omaha poker and how to play it. What you will find below is a list of top poker sites in Canada, such as PokerStars, 888Poker, Party Poker and many others that have managed to stand out of the crowd by offering a number of poker versions, safe and fast payments, and fair playing conditions.
All these sites have undergone a detailed examination of all aspects, from the choice of games, their fairness, and customer support, to payment methods, security detail, and many others. We have got you covered.
If you want to learn more about Omaha poker, read on!
-
888poker100% Deposit Bonus Up To $400 *T&C Apply Full terms apply.
-
Betsafe100% Deposit Bonus Up To $2,000 *T&C Apply Full terms apply.
-
GGPoker100% Deposit Bonus Up To $600 *T&C Apply Full terms apply.
-
LeoVegas100% Bonus Up To $1,000 + 200 Free Spins *T&C Apply Full terms apply.
-
PokerStars100% Deposit Bonus Up To $600 *T&C Apply Full terms apply.
-
Unibet$30 + $1000 Playthrough Poker Bonus *T&C Apply Full terms apply.
What is Omaha Poker?
Omaha poker is a type of Hold ’em poker that bears many similarities with Texas Hold ’em from which it was derived. However, there are a couple of differences in Omaha poker rules that make the game unique.
In Omaha poker, players are dealt four hole cards, instead of two you get in Texas Hold ’em. Next up are the community or board cards. In Omaha poker, there are five community cards players can use to make the best possible poker hand, and here lies the catch.
In Omaha poker, players need to use precisely two of their hole cards with any three of the community cards to form their hand. No more and certainly not less. This primary rule drastically changes the outlook of the game and paves the way for the rise and use of a specific Omaha poker strategy, unlike any other poker strategy.
Types of Omaha Poker
There are a couple of versions of Omaha poker you can play in these top Canadian poker sites, and each version has several unique characteristics. Let’s see what these types of Omaha are all about.
- Pot Limit Omaha — In Pot Limit Omaha, players can bet up to the pot’s size and no more. The minimum bet in Pot Limit Omaha is of the same size as the big blind, and the minimum raise must match the size of the previous bet or raise from the same round.
- No Limit Omaha — In No Limit Omaha, as its name suggests, there is no limit as to how much a player can bet in a round, whereas the minimum bet must be at least the size of the big blind.
- Fixed Limit Omaha — The Fixed Limit Omaha is a poker game where each player is allowed to make up to 4 bets per round, and the stakes are presented in a fixed and clearly structured form. For example, in the first two betting rounds, the bets and raises are equal to the amount of the big blind, while in the next two rounds, that amount doubles.
- Omaha Poker High Low — In Omaha Poker High Low (aka Omaha Hi/Lo, Omaha-8-or- better) version, the pot is split between the highest and the lowest hand. In Omaha Hi/Lo, you are making one strong hand for the high side of the pot, and one hand for the low side of the pot. Each hand must be made out of two cards from your hand and three community cards. If a single player has the strongest and the weakest hand combinations in the same round, they will take the entire pot.
How to Play Omaha Poker
According to the rules of Omaha poker, each round begins with the player next to the dealer in clockwise direction posting a small blind bet or the first forced bet. The player next to the player under the gun places a big blind bet that is usually twice the amount of the small blind. The given amounts vary according to the type of Omaha poker played. Now we head to the action.
- The Preflop: The Preflop phase of the game begins where each player is dealt with four face-down hole cards and the player on the left from the big blind places the first bet. They can either fold, call or raise the bet.
- The Flop: Upon completing the first betting round, the flop stage begins with three community cards dealt on the table face up. These three community cards are called flop cards, hence the name of the stage of the game. The betting in this round begins with the player on the left of the dealer.
- The Turn: The Turn is the third betting round of the game where the fourth community card is presented.
- The River: The River is the final betting round of the game where the final community card is laid.
- The Showdown: The Showdown is reserved for the remaining players in the game. In this round, the last player to bet or raise shows their cards and the player with the best hand wins the pot.
The Best Omaha Poker Strategy
There are different Omaha poker strategies out there, but it all boils down to these simple tips and tricks you should follow for the best odds of winning in Omaha poker.
First, don’t rush it. There are four betting rounds in the game, so be patient and don’t jump the gun thinking any four cards are good enough. There is a lot less bluffing in Omaha poker than in Texas Hold ’em, so it is only the strong hand in Omaha that does the talking.
Also, in a multiway pot game, drawing to the nuts is a good strategy, but don’t chase the nut flush draw. You won’t win in an Omaha poker game often by pairing your Ace or with a flush despite the board pair, so don’t chase it.
Finally, remember that Omaha poker Hold ’em is not the same as Texas Hold ’em. For example, a pair of Aces is great as a preflop hand in Pot Limit Omaha, but unless the flop makes the hand better, you probably won’t win the hand, unlike in the Texas Hold ’em where a pair of Aces usually secures you the pot.
FAQ
-
What is Omaha poker?
-
How many cards is Omaha poker played with?
-
How many betting rounds are there in Omaha?
-
Which hands are the strongest in Omaha?
-
Where to play Omaha in Canada?