Myths of Omaha High Poker
The game is complicated
Although some people feel that Omaha High is a complicated game, the reality is just the opposite. The Omaha High is challenging, but not difficult to learn, and since it does not require the skill and tactic of bluffing, even mediocre players can soon be enjoying a few hands of cards with friends. The closest cousin to this Omaha High is the Texas Hold'em which requires a more convoluted strategy in order to survive the vagaries of the pre flop and post flop betting. With the game of Omaha High, the choices are basically one hand is admittedly the best, or several players have equal good hands, or no one has a hand worth playing.
Starting hands tend to be close to the same value
This is an obvious myth in Omaha High, since it is apparent that there are numerous possibilities in the starting deal for any poker game--in fact, in any card game. The fact of random sequence would guarantee that it would be impossible to assume similar or identical values for starting hand. As with any poker game, the majority of starting hands in Omaha High are random cards, but this doesn't make them similar in value.
Don't raise prior to the flop
Another widespread myth in regard to Omaha High is that you shouldn't raise before the flop. In fact, just the opposite is true. You should aggressively go after the early money in the pot. There are some hands, such as A-2-3-4 that can be a problem if you must bid first. You should attempt to encourage another player to raise in this situation. The best way to play Omaha High is to look for small advantages that you can repeatedly exploit and wear down the other players bankroll in your favor.
Never Raise with low as you play Omaha
Playing Omaha High and making the statement "Never raise with low" marks a player as inexperienced or simply a poor player. Again, winning at this poker game is a matter of taking advantage of small wins to wear the other poker players down. This will make you a winner more than fifty percent of the time. You must constantly think about how to manipulate the betting so that you can at least get three quarters of the pot and not just one quarter. When you play Omaha this manipulation is often accomplished by raising your bet if you have anything at all to warrant a shot at a part of the pot.
More Omaha hands are played than Hold'em hands
This is another myth when you play Omaha that is directly related to the experience and skill of the poker player rather than the composition of the hands. There are fewer Omaha High hands that fall into the classification of marginal, so the bankroll when playing Omaha will see fewer fluctuations such as those found with Hold'em hands.
You can't bluff when you play Omaha
When you play Omaha, there is not as much need to bluff since the hands are either obviously very good, or in a tie with other acceptable hands or finally, total crap that you wouldn't want to bluff on anyway as you play Omaha.