Omaha (Omaha) - poker game, the widely used "abroad." There are fans and we have. Under this general title is hiding a few subspecies: Omaha High, Omaha Hi-Loy Split, Omaha Eight and above (Omaha High Only, Omaha Hi-Lo Split, Omaha Eight-or-Better) and many other species. Differ, as well as in Texas Hold'em, and restrictions on rates - limited edition, limited to sweat and unlimited (limit, pot-limit, no limit). We consider the "standard" Omaha - Omaha High Only, and while we will not go into details of tactics with different limits. Let's start with the rules.
Rules of Omaha are very similar to Texas Hold'em, but with some significant differences that define a completely different strategy. Play at the same table, just by putting a deposit in a clockwise direction moves "button", which determines the position of "dealer", the small and large "blind" (blind). But in Omaha, players face down is dealt to four (instead of two) cards, and then everything is completely analogous to hold 'em (although Omaha also belongs to the subspecies Hold'em, Omaha Hold'em, and the name is sometimes glimpsed, yet the word Hold'em often referred only to Texas , and so we will use it, and). The same procedure is trade, the flop is dealt (3 cards of general public), then another - the turn, and the final total - the river. At the opening of the community cards are, just as in hold'em betting round, and the remainder of the game and showed the strongest combination wins the pot.
However, a major factor in the rules is that, unlike hold'em where you can make a winning combination with two, one or none of their hole cards in Omaha in the game is played only his two and three community cards. I repeat: their two and three of the community, and the only way. It is because of this game like so different.
Their four hole cards often play with beginners, especially coming from Texas Hold'em, a cruel joke. Obviously, the choice of two cards from the four gives you much more good starting hands. But keep in mind that the opponents of the four cards too! So much more straight, flush, and Fulla, younger couples with whom to hold 'em, sometimes standing confidently enter the game, in Omaha deserves a solid pass. A third card in the hands of the pair, giving the newcomer an impression about the power of arms, is not a plus, and minus - in fact play something just the two of them, and the probability of matching cards in general is markedly reduced. Accordingly, a fantastic combination of the other games kare with the distribution (four of a kind) in Omaha, discard immediately.
The main mistake facing the biggest money for beginners, is the game everybody stratovyh hands. Even in Texas Hold'em is ubiquitous, and in Omaha, where almost any four cards can give hope for a good combination, happens all the time. Which is the same starting cards come into play? Answer to this question, as the majority of poker does not exist. Here we present a system for playing with a large number of participants (8-11 people per table), designed by the famous American player, Edward Hutchison (Edward Hutchison) using a mathematical simulation by the Monte Carlo method. With fewer players to play is a bit more aggressively. Although, again, she, like any other system, is not the ultimate truth.
Thus, the system estimates Hutchison starting hand in Omaha:
1. First estimated suited cards. If the hand has two or more suited cards, you count the points from the value of the oldest of them (if there are two kinds of two cards count for both):
- At senior A - add 4 points;
- K - 3 points;
- Q - 2.5 points;
- J - 2 points;
- 10 or 9 - 1.5 points;
- Any other - 1 point;
- If all 4 cards of same suit - subtract 2 points.
2. Now we estimate the effect of pairs:
- If the pair A - add the 9 points;
- A pair of K - 8 points;
- A pair of Q - 7 points;
- A pair of J or 10 - 6 points;
- A pair of 9 - 5 points;
- Any other - 4 points;
- If three or more identical - no points are not added.
3. Finally, the possibility of a straight. If the hand has cards that can help you get straight (that is, with "hole" between them is not more than three cards), then:
- A with K, Q, J or 10 earn 2 points;
- A 2, 3, 4 or 5 - 1 point;
- Any two cards from 2 to 6 - 2 points;
- Any two cards from 6 to K - 4 points;
- Any three cards of 6 or more - 7 points;
- Any four cards of 6 or more - 12 points;
- If the gap between the cards in one or two - from the resulting sum deduct 1 point;
- If the period of three maps - deduct 2 points.
Count the money. Enter the game (of course this depends on the position in the trade, whose influence, as in hold'em, it is impossible to overestimate, and force opponents) stands at about 15 points or more, raise the bet, that is, make a raise - at 20 or more.
Of course, at first glance the product looks quite bulky, but with practice it is easy to remember. For ease of learning a few examples:
a) The best starting hand in Omaha - two A and two K two suits (the player controls two high flush and top pair). In this system, she scored 27 points to 2 to 4 times a suit with the highest A, +9 in a couple of A, +8 for a pair of K, and 2 for A to K under the Straight. Total 27 - a solid raise.
b) Suppose, in the hands 8tref, 9tref, 8cherv and 9cherv. 3 points for the two suits of 9, 5 for a pair of 9, 4 for a pair of 8, 4 for 9 and 8 on the straight. The sum of 16 points - Play (call).
c) Q of clubs, Q of hearts, 8, Bubi, and 8 peaks. Suited no 7 for a couple of Q, +4 for a pair of 8, 4, and -2 for straight for the hole in the cards. Total 13 points - just play against weaker partners and / or in late position.
As with any mathematical system, this does not account for the major components of Poker - Psychology and the desire to win no more banks and more money. It can only minimize losses. In the first example, many experienced players, in some cases would not play a raise - in order not to frighten the others and try to create a larger bank and more to win. However, novices system may be useful in assessing the strength of their hands. Try to find it after the game memorable combinations and see whether you have acted in a given situation.
We assume that with the starting hands dealt with. Opens flop. As in Texas Hold'em, in Omaha this most important point, and even more important. Because now you know 7 out of 9 of its potential maps. Although often said that Omaha - the game is unpredictable, and the river can get a winning combination, which uses very weak and seemed to be senseless own card, it's not entirely true. Of course, can win anything. But more often it is "anything" loses. Reduce unnecessary losses, and do not win every specific hand - the task of any strategy. And, as usual, solved it with the help of mathematics.
Obviously, if the flop "does not match" with your expectations and any combination or serious hopes for a strong hand was not formed, the maps should be thrown out (as an obvious exception - all the rest say "check", and the following can be viewed free of charge). Let us assume that something happened or be afoot. In this case, the important concept are missing to win for you and / or opponents cards, so-called outs (outs). What is the probability of getting outs - so are your chances of winning. Of course, to accurately count must be aware that in the hands of other players, but rather educated guesses can be made without it.
A simplified example. Suppose you flop a straight formed with a single hole, par and no flashevyh expectations. You assume that when developing a complete Straight will win you, otherwise the opponent wins. At this point, you know the seven cards of 52 (their four and three on the flop). You are happy with four cards, "chokes" the hole, the remaining 45 - which is 4 outs. The probability of occurrence of the desired outs on liquor (the fourth community card) - 4 / 45, on the river (fifth street), if the liquor does not come - 4 / 44. Thus, your chances of winning - a little more than 1 / 6. If the size of the resulting bank of more than 6 times greater than the required rate, you can try. But keep in mind that before the river, probably also have to pay. So the most defensible solution here - pass.
Of course, the real situation is usually much more difficult - because you can win and formed a pair or trio, but you can play, collecting straight. However, the general rule is - read outs. If a lot of outs, you need to play. If it is obvious that a lot of outs with the enemy, and now your position is better - to attack, that is, increase the bid. Let the scared and fold. Do not throw - so at least he would get these cards are not cheap. And he did not clairvoyant, right-outs in the end may not come!
Fully formalize the game on the flop and liquor (after the fourth card just comes more certainty - we are waiting for just one more, and sometimes clear, waited for his opponent is) impossible - you want to be able to "read" opponents, but it only comes with experience. On the basis of trade and other features necessary to understand which combination has or is trying to make a competitor, and to calculate the ratio of his and his outs, the probability of getting outs you and them, the size of the current rate to the size of the pot. If the probability of winning cards? And the required rate is 1 / 10 of the existing bank, the game is justified. If on the contrary, we do so not worth it. It seems simple.
In fact, this exciting game is fraught with far more than can be described in the article is not something that - volume book, that's why their world Dozens of titles per year. The well-known gambler and journalist Steve Badger (Steve Badger) on the question of which of the books he would recommend that beginners in Omaha, said, "the Bible. Many beginners think this game is so unpredictable, that just pray for the arrival of the desired card. "I would like to hope that the bias of the unpredictability of Omaha to us in a certain extent, been able to dispel this article. Omaha - counting game, based on the mathematics is much more than luck, and great players are well aware of this. Now you know you are. But the share of luck to anyone yet does not interfere with what you and wish!