The game of poker, in almost all its variations like video poker online, relies on the value of different combinations of cards. The cards that you have in your hand are what decide whether you win or lose, bet or fold. Certain combinations outrank others, and it is important to familiarise yourself with the winning and losing combinations so that you recognise them when they appear. Poker hands are ranked on the likelihood of their appearance, so the combinations that appear less frequently are of course ranked more highly. At the end of a poker game, the player with the highest hand wins the pot. Here is a list of poker hands ranked from highest to lowest.
A Royal Flush is the best combination of cards. It consists of the 5 highest cards of the deck, the 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace, all in the same suit. What suit it is doesn’t matter, as long as all 5 cards are the same.
A Straight Flush consists of any five cards of the same suit in consecutive order, for example 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 all of hearts.
Four of a Kind means four cards of the same denomination, for example all the Queens in all the four suits. The fifth card can be any other card from any other suit.
A Full House is a hand that includes three cards of the same denomination, such as 3 4s, as well as a pair of cards from any other denomination, such as 2 Jacks. The overall hand therefore would be 4, 4, 4, Jack, Jack. Ties are broken by the worth of the three of a kind and then the pair.
A standard Flush is five cards of the same suit but in non consecutive order, such as the 2, 5, 7, 10 and King of hearts.
A Straight hand is five consecutive cards that don’t have to be of the same suit. You could have the 3, 4 and 5 of diamonds, the 6 of hearts and the 7 of spades, for example.
Three of a Kind is when you have three cards of the same denomination and two different ones, for example 3 Queens, a 4 and a 9.
A Two Pair is when you have two pairs of cards of the same denomination and one different one, for example 2 8s, 2 4s and one Jack.
A Pair is any two cards of the same denomination and three different ones, for example 2 Queens, a 5, a 9 and a 10.
If no other hand is achieved, the highest card held wins. The value of cards goes from 2 to 10, then Jack, Queen, King and Ace. The Ace is the highest value card of all, although sometimes it is also used to represent the lowest value in a consecutive streak.
Pre flop Play
Pre flop Play is one of the easiest topics to discuss. This basically deals with the decisions you make before the flop is dealt. Basically, you are looking for a good starting hand, and weakness from the other players at the table. Now, it is a little more difficult to discern what a good starting hand is in Omaha because you have more cards. In Texas Holdem, a good hand is a pair, a few high cards or suited connectors. However, in Omaha, almost every hand will probably have a pair, a few high cards, and suited connectors. Does that mean you should play every hand? NO! Many players fall into the trap of playing their hand like two Texas Holdem hands. You need to focus on the four cards you have and the different combinations that may be possible. Pairs are good but connecting cards of the same suit raise the value of these hands. Be creative and make sure you have a nicely textured hand.
Post Flop Play
Post flop play is always difficult to discuss. There are so many different variables which make it impossible to give any concrete examples. There is one main area that Holdem players seem to have trouble with when making the switch to Omaha, though. They keep on thinking of winning hands in Holdem and think they carry over. A pair of aces in holdem is good, but it will probably not hold up in a showdown while playing Omaha. Two pair is usually the least you want to be holding when a showdown occurs.
The best way to get better at Omaha is to play. Many online poker rooms, like Littlewoods poker, offer many Omaha tables at different limit levels for you to learn at. Stop delaying and start playing today!
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