I’ve never played Ohaha High. Seriously, as a poker traditionalist, with no ambitions beyond Wild Bill Hickock’s draw poker, I dislike all the fancy-schmancy games, particularly the current pop leader, Texas Hold’em. Therefore, if I hate the Texas version, you can’t expect me to embrace the Omaha one.
The reason is that Omaha High is just an extension of Texas Hold’em, but each player gets four face-down cards, instead of two. The traditional poker values are the same, and the face-up cards (community) cards are dealt one at a time as the players bet, bluff, pass or raise. The big difference is that each player may only use two of the four face-down dealt (pocket) cards to progress to his final five-card hand. If you are still unaware of Omaha high, then DominoQQ will help you in learning more about the game.
Do you avid Texas Hold’em players get it? I do, and you can deal me out. Think of some unthinking player who gets four aces in his face-down draw. With visions of Cadillacs dancing in his head, he thinks he has a potential fortune. But, nooooo, he has two aces and could end up with a feeble two aces or two pairs after betting heavily as each community card is dealt.
Another potential disaster for the new Omaha player may be a failure to remember that he is absolutely required to use two of the four pocket cards, never just one. Can you imagine the anger and gnashing of teeth of the player who has invested the family fortune in a hand he thought was a heavy winner, only to find it wasn’t because of the Omaha rules?
In conclusion, expert Texas hold’em players, after absorbing the differences in the two games, should do well in Omaha High. Their betting, raising, and bluffing techniques should assure them success in the game. It not only goes on for longer hands but also offers smart players the opportunity to make more money from the patsies who come in with little or no experience in either game.
There are many variations of poker out there and its always fun to research and learn new games. It’s best to try them out at home or with friends before you try them in a public poker room or for real money.
