Poker Tips: Pot Limit Omaha VS No Limit Holdem

No Limit Poker, Pot Limit Poker
October 22 2008

A lot of novice poker players find it difficult to adapt to Pot Limit Omaha after focusing most of their poker energy on No Limit Holdem. The reason for this is because the two games are very different and therefore must be played employing different strategies accordingly.

One of the biggest differences between the two games is the strength of hands and how they can be played to win. Those two extra cards in Omaha make a big difference and cannot be looked at as simply a larger hand of Holdem. The easiest way to explain this is to think of three of a kind. If you flop a set in Holdem, you’re in great shape and are often favored to win. You might even think about slow-playing the hand if the board allows it. However, in Omaha a set on the flop is far less powerful no matter what the rest of the board shows.

You would never think to slow-play a set on the flop in Omaha because it just doesn’t make sense with the great chance of your opponents making a flush or straight, or maybe an even better hand. This is just one example of how Omaha differs from Holdem, and how you much you should change your playing style between games or get burned.

Most players think Omaha allows them to play more hands than Holdem because they have more hole cards. This may be somewhat true, but not to the extent most people believe. An Omaha starting hand should be graded on all four cards, not just two or three. Just because you only use two doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have options with all four. When you play Omaha, leave Holdem thinking behind because the tactics and methods you use at the Holdem table won’t help you in Omaha.

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