The core principle: your four cards must work together
In Omaha, your hand must use exactly 2 hole cards. Four hole cards split into 6 different two-card combinations (10 in PLO5, 15 in PLO6), and a good starting hand is one where all six can be useful:
Double-suited J-10-9-8: all six combinations connect, making lots of straights plus flush chances in two suits.
On the other hand, if your four cards don't connect, such as an offsuit K-8-4-2, almost none of the six combinations can make a strong hand. It looks like four cards but is barely better than two in Hold'em.
Three things that make a good starting hand
Suits
Double-suited (two cards each of two suits) > single-suited > rainbow. Suited aces are the most valuable because they draw to the nut flush.
Connectedness
The closer the ranks, the more straights you can make. Gaps (such as J-9-8-6) cut your straight combinations sharply.
High cards and pairs
Big pairs such as AA and KK can make sets or overpairs, and high cards that are also suited and connected make the nuts more easily.
Starting hand examples by tier
PremiumA-A-K-K double-suited
Widely seen as the best Omaha starting hand: two big pairs, two nut flush draws and straight combinations.
StrongA-A-J-10 double-suited
A pair of aces plus suits and connectors gives huge potential after the flop.
StrongK-Q-J-10 double-suited
High connectors with lots of straight combinations. When it hits, it is often the big straight.
GoodJ-10-9-8 double-suited
The classic middle rundown, best in multi-way pots, and often flops big draws with many outs.
Positional8-7-6-5 double-suited
Low connectors that often make the low end of a straight and lose to a bigger one. Play them in late position when you can get in cheaply.
Trap hands to avoid
TrapA-A-A-5 (trips in hand)
You can only use two of the three aces. The third is wasted and makes it almost impossible to hit another ace.
TrapK-8-4-2 rainbow
Four scattered ranks in four different suits. Almost none of the six combinations work, so fold it.
CarefulK-Q-J-3 (with a dangler)
The first three cards work well, but the 3 has nothing to do with them (a dangler), which noticeably lowers the value of the hand.
How to play AAxx
In Texas Hold'em, AA is a big favourite against any hand pre-flop. In Omaha, AA against a good double-suited rundown is usually much closer. The value of AAxx depends heavily on the other two cards:
- The best aces: suited aces (drawing to the nut flush) with two high or connected side cards, such as A-A-K-Q or A-A-J-10.
- Weaker aces: two small offsuit side cards, such as a rainbow A-A-7-2, which often leaves you with just a pair of aces after the flop.
- Usually re-raise pre-flop: build the pot and thin the field. Aces play best heads-up.
- Be willing to let go after the flop: on connected or suited boards, a pair of aces is easily behind. Don't go all the way just because you have aces.
Draw to the nuts, not the second nuts
In Omaha everyone has four hole cards, so flush against flush and straight against straight at showdown is very common. When that happens, the second-best flush is often the hand that loses the most.
✓ Nut flush draw
Your A♥ means you are drawing to the best heart flush, so you can be confident when you hit.
✗ Non-nut flush draw
Even if you make a nine-high heart flush, it can lose to a bigger flush, so be very careful in big pots.
The same goes for straights: aim for the top end of the straight and avoid draws that can only make the low end. See the glossary entries for the nuts and blockers.
Position matters even more in Omaha
More changes after the flop in Omaha than in Hold'em, so information is worth more. Because most games are pot-limit, position also helps you control the size of the pot:
- Early position: play only high rundowns, double-suited hands with a suited ace, and good AAxx.
- Late position (CO, BTN): add middle and low rundowns such as double-suited 9-8-7-6 and 8-7-6-5.
- The blinds: you act first after the flop, which is a disadvantage, so defend more carefully than in Hold'em.
To practise Omaha for real, X-Poker offers PLO4, PLO5, PLO6, Hi/Lo and more, CoinPoker has PLO6, and ClubGG has steady Omaha tables.
Rooms in this article
FAQ
FAQ
What is the best starting hand in Omaha?
Double-suited A-A-K-K is generally considered the best: two big pairs, nut flush chances in two suits and straight combinations.
What does double-suited mean?
Double-suited means your four hole cards contain two cards each of two suits, such as A♠K♠ with A♥K♥, so you can draw to a flush in either suit.
Is it good to hold three cards of the same suit?
No. In Omaha you can only use two hole cards, so the third suited card is useless and removes an out from the deck that could have made your flush.
Should I always raise with aces in Omaha?
Re-raising pre-flop is a good choice most of the time, building the pot and thinning the field. But if the flop is bad for you, be willing to give up a pair of aces.
What is a dangler?
A dangler is the one hole card that does not work with the other three, such as the 3 in K-Q-J-3. It makes three of your six combinations almost useless.