6 Card Omaha refers to an Omaha poker variation in which players are dealt six-hole cards instead of the standard four or five-hole cards. This twist cranks up the action and potential for big hands.
In 6 Card Omaha, you still use two hole cards and three community cards to make your best five-card hand, but with more options to choose from.
The game is a hit on platforms like PokerStars, where it’s offered from micro-stakes ($0.05/$0.10) up to high-stakes ($50/$100).
With over 20 million possible starting hand combinations, compared to just 2 million in 5-card Omaha, this game offers a fresh challenge for poker enthusiasts.
The increased variance and closer equity between hands make for thrilling gameplay and bigger pots. If you’re looking to spice up your poker experience, 6 Card Omaha might be your new favorite game!
Rules and Gameplay of 6 Card Omaha
Now let’s take a look at the rules and how to play the game of 6 Card Omaha.
Dealing of Six Hole Cards
In 6 Card Omaha, each player gets six private cards to start. These are called hole cards, and they’re yours alone – no peeking at your neighbor’s cards! This is different from regular Omaha, where you only get four cards, or Texas Hold’em, where you get two.
Having six cards gives you way more options to make awesome hands. In fact, there are over 20 million possible starting hand combos in 6 Card Omaha! That’s way more than the 2 million in 5-card Omaha or the 1,326 in Hold’em. Talk about choices!
Community Cards and Betting Rounds
After everyone gets their hole cards, it’s time for the action to begin. 6 Card Omaha follows the same basic structure as other poker games:
Pre-flop: This is the first betting round, right after you get your six cards. The action starts with the player to the left of the big blind.
The Flop: The dealer puts three cards face-up in the middle of the table. These are community cards that everyone can use. Another round of betting happens.
The Turn: A fourth community card is dealt. More betting!
The River: The final community card is revealed. Last chance to bet!
During each round, you can check (pass the action if no one has bet), bet, call (match someone else’s bet), raise (increase the bet), or fold (give up your hand).
Hand Formation: Two Hole Cards + Three Community Cards
Here’s the key rule in 6 Card Omaha: You must use exactly two of your hole cards and exactly three community cards to make your best five-card hand. No more, no less!
This is tricky because you have so many options. With six hole cards, you have 15 different two-card combos to choose from.
That’s a lot to think about!Let’s say the community cards are:A♠ K♥ Q♦ J♣ 10♠And your hole cards are:A♣ K♣ Q♣ J♠ 9♥ 8♥You could make:
A royal flush using A♣ K♣ from your hand + Q♦ J♣ 10♠ from the board
A straight flush using Q♣ J♠ from your hand + K♥ 10♠ 9♥ from the board
Four of a kind using A♣ A♠ from your hand + K♥ K♣ Q♦ from the board
You’ve got tons of strong options! But remember, you can only use two of your cards, so choose wisely.
Pot Limit Betting Structure
6 Card Omaha is usually played as a pot limit game. This means the most you can bet at any time is the size of the current pot. It’s not as wild as no-limit, but it still allows for some big bets!Here’s how it works:
The small blind and big blind are posted before cards are dealt.
In the first round (pre-flop), the minimum bet is the size of the big blind.
After that, you can bet anywhere from the minimum (big blind size) up to the current pot size.
To figure out the max bet:
Add up all the money in the pot
Add any bets on the table
Add how much you need to call
That total is the most you can bet. It can get pretty big!For example:
The pot is $100
There’s a $25 bet in front of you
It costs you $25 to call
The max bet would be: $100 + $25 + $25 = $150
Pot limit makes for some exciting gameplay. It’s not as crazy as no-limit, but you can still make big moves when you’ve got a strong hand.
How does 6 Card Omaha Differ from Standard Omaha?
6 Card Omaha shakes things up big time compared to regular Omaha. What makes it so special? Let’s find out!
Tons More Starting Hand Combos
In 6 Card Omaha, you’re dealt six hole cards instead of four. This might not sound like a huge deal, but it’s a game-changer!
With six cards, you’ve got a whopping 15 different two-card combos to work with. That’s way more than the six combos you get in regular Omaha. Here’s the math:
- 4 Card Omaha: 6 combos
- 5 Card Omaha: 10 combos
- 6 Card Omaha: 15 combos
That’s a lot more options to think about before the flop!
Super-Charged Hand Potential
With more cards come more possibilities. In 6 Card Omaha, you’re way more likely to flop something strong. Check this out:
- You’ll get double-suited hands almost 80% of the time
- You’ll even get triple-suited hands about 9% of the time
This means you’ll be flopping flush draws left and right. But watch out – so will your opponents! You’re also more likely to flop straight draws and pairs. It’s not uncommon to see players with multiple draws on the flop. This leads to some wild action and big pots!
Coordinated Cards are King
In 6 Card Omaha, having cards that work well together is super important. You want hands that can make multiple strong combinations. For example:A♠K♠Q♥J♥T♦9♦This hand is a powerhouse because:
It’s double-suited (spades and hearts)
It has straight potential in both directions
It has high card value
Hands like this can make the nuts in multiple ways, which is key in 6 Card Omaha.
Beware of Traps
While having more cards is fun, it can also be dangerous. It’s easy to overvalue hands that would be strong in regular Omaha. For instance, a hand like: A♠A♥K♦Q♣7♠2♥
Might look great, but it’s not as strong as you’d think. You’ve got two “dangler” cards (7 and 2) that don’t help your hand much. In 6 Card Omaha, you want all your cards working together if possible.
Equity Runs Closer
One big difference in 6 Card Omaha is that hand equities run closer together before the flop. This means it’s harder to be a big favorite preflop.
Even strong hands might only have 55-60% equity against weaker hands. This leads to more action and bigger pots. It also means you need to be extra careful about getting all your chips in preflop!
Tips and Strategies for Winning at 6 Card Omaha
6 Card Omaha is a wild ride, but with the right strategy, you can come out on top. Let’s dive into some key tips to up your game!
1. Starting Hand Selection
In 6 Card Omaha, you’ve got more options, but that doesn’t mean all hands are created equal. Look for:
Triple-suited hands: These give you three potential flush draws, which is gold!
Connected cards: Straights are still strong, so cards that work together are key.
High pairs with good side cards: Think A♠A♣K♠Q♣J♥T♥
Remember, Aces aren’t as powerful as in other poker games. A hand like A♠A♣7♦4♣3♥2♠ might look tempting, but it’s not as strong as you’d think.
2. Flop Texture Matters
The flop is where the action really heats up in 6 Card Omaha. Pay attention to:
- Flush possibilities: With more suited cards in play, flushes happen more often.
- Straight draws: Look for connected community cards.
- Paired boards: These can lead to big full houses or four of a kind.
For example, on a flop of K♠7♦2♣, a hand with K♥K♣ in it is much stronger than in regular Omaha.
3. Post-Flop Play and Hand Reading
After the flop, it’s all about figuring out where you stand:
Bet your strong hands: Don’t slow play in 6 Card Omaha – you can get outdrawn fast!
Be cautious with medium-strength hands: Remember, your opponents have more outs.
Watch for draws: With six cards, players often have multiple drawing possibilities.
If you’ve got the nut straight on a K♠Q♥J♦ flop with A♥T♠9♥8♠7♣6♣, you’re in great shape. But be ready for flush draws!
4. Bankroll Management
6 Card Omaha can be a rollercoaster, so protect your bankroll:
- Start at lower stakes than you’d play in regular Omaha.
- Be prepared for bigger swings.
- Don’t risk more than 5% of your bankroll in a single session.
If you’re used to $1/$2 PLO, maybe start with $0.25/$0.50 in 6 Card Omaha.
5. Bluffing Considerations
Bluffing in 6 Card Omaha is tricky:
- Semi-bluff more: With more draw possibilities, semi-bluffs work well.
- Pure bluffs are risky: Players have more ways to make hands, so they call more often.
- Use blockers: If you have the A♠ on a two-spade flop, you can represent the nut flush draw.
Remember, in 6 Card Omaha, even a hand like 7♥6♥5♣4♣3♦2♦ has a ton of potential on many flops!
Advanced Concepts to Become a Pro in 6 Card Omaha
In 6 Card Omaha, advanced concepts can give you an edge. Let’s talk about danglers, blockers, and short-handed play. A dangler is a card that doesn’t work well with your other cards. For example, if you have A♠K♠Q♥J♥T♦2♣, the 2♣ is a dangler.
It’s not helping your hand much. But don’t always toss these hands! Sometimes, a dangler can be sneaky good. It might make a surprise two pairs or trips.
Blockers are super important in 6 Card Omaha. If you have the A♥ in your hand, you know nobody else can have it. This can help you bluff or make better calls.
For instance, if you have the A♥ on a board with three hearts, you can bet big because you know nobody has the nut flush. In short-handed play (like 6-max games), the position is key. You’ll want to play more hands from a late position, like the button or cutoff.
Your starting hands can be a bit weaker in short-handed games because there are fewer players to beat.
A hand like A♠K♦Q♣J♥7♠6♥ might be playable in 6-max but not in a full ring game. Remember, in 6 Card Omaha, hand equities run closer together preflop.
Even strong hands might only have 55-60% equity against weaker hands. This means you need to be extra careful about getting all your chips in before the flop. By mastering these concepts, you’ll be well on your way to crushing 6 Card Omaha!
Variants of 6 Card Omaha
6 Card Omaha comes in a few tasty flavors that spice up the game even more. Let’s check ’em out!
First up, we’ve got 6 Card Omaha Hi/Lo. This split-pot version is like getting two games for the price of one! Half the pot goes to the best high hand, and half to the best low hand (if there is one).
To qualify for low, you need five cards 8 or below, with aces counting as low. It’s a wild ride where you might scoop the whole pot or end up splitting it.
Then there’s the fixed limit version. Here, bets and raises are set at specific amounts. For example, in a $2/$4 game, bets are $2 in early rounds and $4 in later rounds. It keeps things a bit more controlled, perfect if you’re watching your bankroll.
Last but not least, we’ve got a no-limit 6 Card Omaha. This is where things can get crazy! You can bet any amount, up to all your chips, at any time. It’s not as common as the limit, but when you find it, hold onto your hat – the action can get intense! Each version adds its own twist to the game, keeping 6 Card Omaha fresh and exciting.
Where to Play 6 Card Omaha Online?
6 Card Omaha is gaining traction in the online poker world. You can find games on major sites like PokerStars, PartyPoker, and GGPoker. These big dogs offer a range of stakes, from micro-limits like $0.01/$0.02 all the way up to high-roller games at $50/$100 and beyond.
Game formats vary, but you’ll mostly see cash games and tournaments. Some sites even offer Spin & Go style games with random prize pools. It’s a wild ride! Jumping from live to online play can be tricky.
The pace is faster, and you’ll need to get comfy with the software. But don’t sweat it! Most sites have play money tables where you can practice for free. It’s a great way to get your feet wet without risking real cash.
One cool thing about online play is the multi-tabling option. You can play several tables at once, cranking up the action and potential profits.
Tools and Resources to Improve Your Game
A number of tools and resources are available to help you improve your 6 Card Omaha game. First off, check out the 6 Card PLO Calculator by PokerCruncher.
It’s a game-changer for crunching those tricky hand equities. For strategy, Run It Once has some killer training videos by pros like Kevin Rabichow.
They’ll teach you the ins and outs of this wild game. Want to practice? PokerStars offers play money tables where you can test your skills risk-free. For in-depth analysis, PLO Mastermind has a treasure trove of articles on the 6 Card strategy.
Don’t forget about Discord communities like the one mentioned by Tom Smeets – they’re great for chatting strategy with fellow players. And if you’re into number crunching, the Wizard of Odds has an Omaha calculator that, while not specifically for 6 Card, can still give you some valuable insights.
With these tools in your pocket, you’ll be crushing 6 Card Omaha in no time. Just remember, practice makes perfect, so get out there and start playing!
Conclusion
6 Card Omaha is shaking up the poker world, and its future looks bright. As more players discover the thrill of this action-packed game, we’re likely to see it spread to more online platforms and even live casinos.
The game’s complexity and potential for big pots make it appealing to both recreational players and pros looking for a new challenge.
While it might not overtake Texas Hold’em or traditional Omaha, 6 Card Omaha is carving out its own niche in the poker ecosystem.
As strategy evolves and more resources become available, we can expect to see continued growth and player adoption. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a curious newcomer, 6 Card Omaha offers an exciting new frontier in the world of poker.
