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Bluffing in Omaha 8 or Better

Omaha 8 or Better is a very complex poker game, and therefore requires a strong understanding of how to follow through with convincing bluffs. While bluffs in other games such as 7 card stud are straightforward, in Omaha 8 or Better a few different factors come into play. In this article I will outline the basic strategies a player in Omaha 8 or Better should use and understand when bluffing their opponents.


Using the Community Cards
Being that each player can use their personal four cards, as well as the 5 community cards to play either the high and/or low in Omaha 8 or Better, there are many things to watch for with the flop, turn, and river. Calculate odds on the flop using the knowledge you gain from your hand, and then bluff on those odds. Acting plays a role in this, as you must make the other players believe that, for example, you have almost all the outs to the draw flush or full house, instilling fear and uncertainty into your opponents. Without taking into account reads or tells, the community is your best bet on choosing the proper bluff. Hint very strongly that you are holding cards to the strongest outs, because more often than not they will come, considering all the cards playable in Omaha 8 or Better. With your four cards, you can “play” for many outs, and only have to “hit” one to be able to bluff out your opponents.

Changing Styles
When using bluffing on a regular basis, make sure you don't leave any room for tells. Change up your bluffing styles in Omaha 8 or Better more often than normally, as confusion is a key factor towards successful bluffing. If you lose a pot on a bluff and are forced to show your cards, you become a much weaker player at the table. People will call you more often, so play into that, waiting for cards to come and then using the same mannerisms as you did when you lost to draw them in. Switching up your style like this will keep people guessing the whole way through, and if you play it right, you will always have the upper hand.


What to Watch For
Now that you know how to bluff towards the multiple outs, you also must realize that other people can hit that many more outs as well. This is where reading comes into effect. When playing for money it is always imperative to watch the board. Keep tabs on each player as the pots pass and attempt to pick up clues on how they play Omaha 8 or Better. Good reads in Omaha 8 or Better can often reveal whether a player is going for the high end or low end, and even some slick talking can give you clues.


Conclusion
Bluffing in Omaha 8 or Better is all about the outs, and the good old draw bluffs. With a couple reads on players, and smart use of the tactics described above, any player can become a much more successful bluffer, and poker player in general. Remember to play discreetly as well, mucking cards whenever possible, and reversing your style or bluff whenever people think they are onto you. With practice, you can even pick up new bluffing strategies just by gaining tells onto other people read you. Now with the basic points outlined here, you can apply yourself to more advanced bluffing in Omaha 8 or Better, and in turn, win more often.


Resources
Play Omaha Poker Online
Omaha 8 PokerVideo