Poker games involve a lot of math then luck more than we think.  Contrary to popular belief, players make the best decisions by calculating odds rather than relying on the best hand to drop into their lap.  There are many variations of this card game, but the most misunderstood of them all is Omaha 8/b.  At a glance, it seems like a strange game and complicated, too, but if players do the math they will find out that is fairly simple.  There isn’t much randomness in Omaha when compared to a Hold’em game.  There are some misconceptions in the game that some players need to know.

Is it complicated?

Contrary to first impressions, Omaha is not a complicated game.  It’s a simple game that mainly involves doing the math.  There are two cards that can pair with the board to make you win or not to make you lose.  The outcome is also easy to predict.  One player has the best hand, more than one has a good hand, or a bet from a player will scoop the pot from a bluff because no one has any good hands.  It all comes down to simple math.  Players have to calculate their chances – based on the pair of hands they have and what they on the board – in scooping or winning a part of the pot.

To raise or not?

Another one is never raise with a low.  Players should bet aggressively if they have a nut low or anything high.  They can manipulate the bet by raising to get three quarters instead of just one.  Players can get quartered on the river which may lead to a three way pot.  But if you can make a high hand flop because of your raise you will win many chips.

Can I bluff?

Some players think that you can bluff in Omaha.  It is true that bluffing is uncommon in the game, but players can still use it.  Bluffing can be used on targets that assume it is impossible to do it.  There are times when a complete nut hand is not easy to make.  Bluffing can be used in this situation against mediocre players.  It earns money, no matter how rare you use them, if they are done nicely.  In poker games, this can play a role in your return investment.  Players can bluff their way in small pots from an early position (poor players tend to bluff from last position).