Myths About Omaha Poker

Written by Nigel

Just like any other poker variant out there, there are some myths revolving around Omaha Poker.  If you do not know much about the game, you just might be a victim of one of these myths.

It is complicated
I heard this one about Texas Hold ‘Em too.  It is not true.  In fact, for Omaha Poker, you would find more simplicity.  This is because each hand in Omaha Poker has more ways to connect with a flop.  The idea that most of the time players around the table have nothing is not real.

Omaha starting hands run close together in value
Where does this myth stem from?  The fact that the dominating relationship of an AA over an A7 in Texas Hold ‘Em does not really have that much impact in Omaha.  As a result, people tend to think that starting hands do not really have much difference.  The fact, however, is that they do.  This is a good topic for another post – starting hands – and you will see just how different they can be.

Don’t raise before the flop
This is coming from the previous myth, really.  As one expertly put it “the most common way to create a profitable edge is to exploit the dramatically different pre-flop value of Omaha starting hands. Most Omaha games feature players who play too many garbage hands 789T, 23QJ and even J965. In many games, these mistakes occur before the flop all the time. This is where the money is to be made. Since the opportunities arise almost every hand, this is where you increase your profits hugely in Omaha.”

Omaha and Texas Hold ‘em: A Comparison

Written by Nigel

No matter how much we try to get away from Texas Hold ‘em, it seems that this variation of poker has left too strong of an impression on us.  Even those who want to start trying out other poker variations seem to get confused as to how the game really goes – Texas Hold ‘em is still in their heads.  There’s nothing wrong with that of course.  However, I thought it would be appropriate to compare these two variations a little bit more before we talk about Omaha Poker in more detail.

In the last post we talked about the number of cards you are dealt initially - 2 for Texas and 4 for Omaha.  This seemingly minor difference can actually spell huge disparity when it comes to game play.  Some may assume that knowing how to play Texas Hold ‘em automatically makes them great Omaha players.  While there is a certain truth to that – you know the basics already – it doesn’t really apply.

Just as you had to learn a set of skills when you were starting out with Texas Hold ‘em, you have to learn some new skills for Omaha.  For one, having 4 cards to choose from for your hand makes it all the more exciting.  With all the possibilities, you need to be more astute.  There is no shortage of action when it comes to Omaha (and other split pot games for that matter).  Make sure that you learn the skills in order to keep up with the action.

Play Omaha Poker

Written by Nigel

When someone says poker, more often than not it is Texas Hold Em Poker that he is referring to.  However, as most poker nuts know, there is more to the poker world than Texas Hold Em.  Of course, Hold Em is the most popular – and it has the right to be, I guess – but you would be missing out on other things if you don’t try other variations of poker.

Perhaps the next most popular type of poker would be Omaha Poker.  I could be wrong, of course, but it wouldn’t hurt to take a quick look at what Omaha Poker is all about.  Actually, it is not much different from Texas Hold Em.  The main idea of the whole game is to make the best five-card hand out of the cards you are dealt and the community cards.  Omaha is played using the standard deck of cards with 52 cards in all.  It can be played by 2 players or more, 10 being the maximum.  So far, it’s nothing different from Texas Hold Em, right?

The difference lies in the game play.  Instead of receiving only 2 cards on the first deal, you will get 4 cards in Omaha Poker.  You cannot use all the 4 cards though.  To form your best 5-card hand, you can use 2 of your 4 personal cards and 3 of the community cards.  The rest of the game is basically the same, with terms like the flop, turn, and river being utilized also.

More on the Bar Poker League

Written by Nigel

For those of you who got really interested in the Bar Poker League, I just found out that they have recently expanded their operations in Florida!  This is certainly good news for people who live in the area.  One of the best things about BPL tournaments is that there is no buy in or entry fee.  More so, you do not need to be a poker pro to play.  It is just like hanging out with friends for a night of poker.  Of course, if you want to take your game to a higher level, you would certainly find some people to play with as well.

There is also no restriction when it comes to how often you play.  You just need to visit their site to get more accurate information regarding the game nights at specific venues.  In order to get the most out of your experience, it would be a good idea to sign up with BPL in their web site.  This would mean that each time you play, you would get points.  The allocation of points is as follows:

5 points – awarded to each player in each tournament simply for playing.
100 points – awarded to 1st place in each tournament.
75 points – awarded to 2nd place in each tournament.
60 points – awarded to 3rd place in each tournament.
50 points – awarded to 4th place in each tournament.
40 points – awarded to 5th place in each tournament.
30 points – awarded to 6th place in each tournament.
20 points – awarded to 7th place in each tournament.
10 points – awarded to 8th place in each tournament.

These points are used to determine the top 200 players in each District who will qualify for the District Final Events and eventually the State/Regional Final Events.

Bar Poker League

Written by Nigel

Ever heard of the Bar Poker League? I am sure that if you have not, you are probably jumping off your chair in excitement right now, especially if you have been looking for a good group to play poker regularly with offline. To be honest, I didn’t really know much about this group until quite recently.

It does sound very intriguing and promising, doesn’t it? The Bar Poker League hosts Texas Hold ‘Em Tournaments in various bars and nightclubs. Who will not find that interesting? The thing is, their activities are mainly focused in the state of Minnesota. So if you are from out of state or worse, from another country, then you are plain out of luck.

For those who live within the area, what is in it for you? Here’s what they have to say: “Join the Bar Poker League and play seven nights a week. League members compete for $200 in nightly tournament prizes and qualify for district finals and casino-hosted state and regional championships through our poker point system. Members can win trips to Las Vegas, Tour Pro Poker Camp packages…”

Not bad. Although I am sure that there are other tournaments in many parts of the world, many poker players out there are wishing that they would have a similar set up in their area. I am going to try and look up more information on this league and share it with you if I find something.