Omaha and Texas Holdem are very similar in that Omaha is Holdem with four cards instead of two. Omaha H/L is distinctly different.
Omaha H/L and Texas Holdem are similar in that they both have the five community cards dealt three, one and one. They are both trying to achieve the best traditional poker hand.
One of the most crucial differences between Texas Holdem and Omaha H/L is the weight. The weight of your hand in Texas Holdem is based on the two cards you hold. They are enhanced or not by the community cards. In Omaha H/L the weight of your cards is determined by the flop. Your cards are used to enhance the flop.
You can have a great hand in Holdem and lose. But the chances of you winning the hand are high. In Omaha H/L having a great hand raises your chances of winnning the hand only if the flop makes your hand strong.
For example you hold Ac, As, 2c, 3h. You hold aces for the high hand and A, 2 and 3 for low. You also have the possible flush for clubs. This is a really good starting hand but no guarantee. The flop comes up Ah, Kh, 10d. You now have trips but there is a possible straight on the board and a heart flush draw possible. Many players stay in hoping to pair the board. It can happen. There is also the chance that you will lose everything chasing the full house.
On the other hand you get a great high only hand. Say you are holding Ad, Kd, Jh, Jd. You know every hand has a high pot while there is not always a low pot. The flop is As, 3s, 5c. While you have a pair of aces, in Omaha H/L that is useless. There is a low straight possible on the board with a flush draw again.
In Holdem, players occasionally hold onto and play low cards. In Omaha H/L, players value the cards that run Ace through 5. These cards can often give you half the pot. The best scenerio is when you have the high hand and the low and sweep the pot.
If you enjoy the excitement of playing Texas Holdem and haven't tried your hand at Omaha H/L you should really give it a chance. It is a more strategic game with many twists and turns that keep it from ever getting boring.
