Experienced Omaha players will attest to the fact that it is a game which focuses heavily on the turn and river. The reason for this is that hands change dramatically from the flop to the turn so players can’t assume their chances based on the flop. Too many players hit sets, straight draws, and flush draws on the flop for anyone to think they’ve won the pot already here. So you’ve really got to focus on the turn in Omaha in order to figure out your chances for winning.
Reading the Board
As mentioned before, the turn will dramatically change everything when it hits the board. This is why you need to be able to understand how certain cards will affect the outcome of the situation. Certain cards will change the number of outs you have along with draws and possible made hands. Making these reads takes practice, but it is something you must be able to do on the turn.
Figuring where your Hand ranks
After you’ve figured out what your chances are of getting a made hand by the turn, you need to evaluate where your hand ranks in comparison to other opponents and what they think you have. If you’re playing a flush draw and have been betting like you’ve got a made straight then opponents are more likely to think you have something big. And if they think you already have a made hand (even if you’re really only drawing) then your cards gain significant value.
Figuring where your Opponent’s Hand ranks
Figuring where your hand is and what your opponent thinks is only part of the equation because you still need to decide where your opponent is at. If the board is representing a flush and your opponent (who happens to be a rock) is betting and raising heavily then you’ll probably want to fold if you’re only drawing for a flush.
Likewise, if your opponent is very loose and the board is weak for Omaha standards then you’ll want to extract as much money as possible from them if you’ve got a solid hand.
Tags: Betting, Poker Hands, Tips
