Omaha High/Low - 5 Reasons To Add Omaha/8 To Your Poker Repertoire

The game of poker exploded in the early 2000's with the advent of online poker and mainstream television show coverage. The game that everyone was talking about and playing was Texas Hold 'Em. A few years on, many players have made good money playing poker and calling themselves poker players, but in truth they have yet to expand their horizons and become true poker players. Looking beyond Texas Hold 'Em to other games of poker players is part of any good player's maturation. This article addresses some key prerogatives to add other games of poker to your skill set. In particular the focus will be on the game of Omaha Eight-or-Better split pot poker.

Simple Decision Making

Players who have played Texas Hold 'Em their whole poker lives look at the rules and structure of Omaha High/Low split poker and figure it to be a much more complex game. Sure, the fact that players get two extra cards in their hand and that the pot is split between the best high and low showdown hands makes the game harder to understand at first. However, as you get your head around the structure of the game itself, the strategical decision making behind playing and winning at the game is a lot easier to master than Texas Hold 'Em.

It is often said that Omaha/8 is a game of drawing to the nuts, and therefore there is a lot less grey area than there is Texas Hold 'Em where marginal situations are usually where profit is made. If you understand some basic concepts of poker such as outs and pot odds then you can do quite well quite quickly at Omaha/8.

Lower Variance and Bankroll Requirements

Poker players often bemoan the financial variance associated with their chosen pass-time. Much has been written on the size of a poker bankroll that a player should have to withstand this variance at a particular betting limit. The game of Omaha/8 has a lot lower variance than Texas Hold 'Em does for two key reasons. Firstly, the pot is split, so on more occasions a player will be winning some money back and not losing an entire pot. Secondly, given that the nuts is often required to win, good players will only be putting lots of money into the pot when they are big favorites to win all or part of it. The lower variance of Omaha High/Low means that players can play at a given betting limit with a smaller bankroll than they would require for the same Texas Hold 'Em betting limit.

Mental Break/Fresh Perspective

Texas Hold 'Em poker can become a real grind after a while. If a poker player puts in a good number of hours every week, there is a good chance that after a long period of playing they are going to experience some sort of burnout. Often the lure of making money keeps them playing even though they aren't enjoying it as much or aren't as sharp. Developing skills in other poker games though provides an outlet for new experience and an opportunity to change things up a bit. The great thing is that if you can turn other forms of poker into winning games for yourself then you are not giving up your profit making while you take a break from Texas Hold 'Em.

A Lot of Players Have No Idea What They Are Doing

There is far less literature and discussion about good Omaha High/Low poker strategy than there is about Texas Hold 'Em. Just do a web search and you will see that the resources available for Omaha/8 players are very limited. Hence, you can expect the average opponent you come across at the Omaha High/Low table to be worse than the average player at a Texas Hold 'Em table. If you put in the time and effort to learn about the game then you will be in a position to exploit these players.

Great for Releasing Bonus

A lot of online poker players make good money just from receiving online poker room bonuses and promotions for playing at particular sites. These bonuses are usually released to players when they have satisfied certain playing requirements, usually measured in raked hands. For hands to be counted as raked, the pot must be of a certain size. Often times in Texas Hold 'Em games, the pot never reaches this level. In Omaha High/Low though, players are striving for two different sides of the pot and action can become quite heated. The average pot size for Omaha/8 at the same betting level is much higher than that of Texas Hold 'Em and therefore bonuses and promotions are released at a faster rate while playing Omaha/8.

Copyright 2007 - Andrew L. Ferguson. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

The Eureka Kid is an up-and-coming young poker player who publishes free poker strategy content. Visit The Omaha Split [http://www.theomahasplit.com] to learn more about the game of Omaha High/Low poker today!

Reasons to Regulate Online Poker

Recently, in 2006, the United States enacted legislation, known as the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act), which essentially made it unlawful for any American Poker player to fund an online Poker site with money to be used in Poker gambling.  There are many reasons as to why this detrimental law should be reversed, and why the U.S. government should consider regulating Online Poker.  Here are a few central ideas:

The UIGEA was literally tacked on as a last minute rider to a Ports bill, which was destined to pass.  The UIGEA was added to ths bill, which was signed by President Bush, about 20 minutes prior to the Port bills Congress vote.  The UIGEA was never discussed or debated in Congress, and was voted on from its original draft, which has many, many holes in it.

The UIGEA unfairly puts the onus on its implementation on the U.S. Banking system. It makes banks responsible and culpable for identifying and stopping checks and internet bank transfers that are gambling-related. Specifically, the UIGEA does not clearly delineate what a gambling transaction is and isn't. The banking system is currently ill-equipped with the necessary man-power to implement such a vague law, and has been blunt in stating that it would take many years to implement a correct system that could identify offending transactions, without inadvertently halting  benign transactions.  Further, the UIGEA is requiring the banking system to  implement this law on its own time (i.e., for no payment), and assume the culpability of its actions.  Given the recent turmoil in the U.S. banking system, it makes absolutely no sense for the banking industry to be spending its time devising a plan to implement a law that is full of crevices, especially when there are infinitely more pressing needs that the banking system must reckon with these days.

Now, for the hypocrisy argument - the U.S. government says that online Poker is illegal, when accounts are funded for the purposes of gambling, but it is totally legal and permissible to play state lotteries, wager for online horse-racing, and bet on fantasy sports online.  Why on earth are lotteries deemed to be legal (when, in fact, they are totally left to chance), when a game of skill (Poker) is deemed to be illegal and immoral, as stated by the proponents of the UIGEA.  It just makes no sense. Anyone who plays Poker knows that there is an inherent chance element associated with the game, but it is largely a game of skill (akin to Chess).

We are currently running the biggest government deficit in American history, courtesy the Bush Administration, and the National Debt will have increased from 5 BB to 9.5 BB under George Bush's watch (that over a 90 % increase).  Regulation of online Poker could bring a significant windfall to the U.S. government, that would certainly have a positive impact on lowering the budget deficit and slowing down the ballooning National debt.  There are many who have suggested how to implement taxing online Poker, and we could surely learn from our friends in the U.K., who are already doing this.

There are many (this author included) who believe that the reason the U.S. government is not regulating internet-based Poker, is the strong Las Vegas casino lobbyists (who believe online Poker is hurting their business), and those that believe that Las Vegas is planning their strategy of going online at some point as well.  The lawmakers who engineered UIGEA believe that elimination of non-US-based online Poker, will help pave the way for land-based casinos to enter this market, and will help eradicate any international competition that might otherwise exist.

Other proponents of the UIGEA argue that online Poker encourages underage gambling, which destroys the fabric of American society.  Nothing could be further from the truth, and the sophistication of technology currently exists that would enable online Poker websites to prohibit the patronage of underage customers.

Finally, how is it that the American government can tell its U.S. citizens how they can spend their own money ?  There is a serious Freedom of Speech issue at stake here. Further, the internet shows no geographical boundaries, and by prohibiting citizens from playing on an online Poker site that is physically located in another country, this demonstrates that the U.S. government feels no remorse in telling its constituency what websites it can and cannot frequent.  If the U.S. government is not going to allow online Poker sites from being accesses, then maybe, just maybe, we should eliminate any websites that cater to alcohol, tobacco, sex, credit cards, etc., etc., etc.  Why stop at online Poker ?

In summary, there are many, many reasons to repeal the UIGEA, and permit online Poker to be played.  Hopefully, the next governmental regime will see the light, and reverse the stupidity and short-sightedness imposed by the current administration.

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Top 5 Reasons To Check Out A Poker Strategy Video

It might seem like an unusual way to learn how to play a game of cards, but the reality is there are a lot of compelling reasons to check out a poker strategy video. Whether a poker strategy video comes from a world class champion or just an expert player, the tips they include can sometimes go well above and beyond written instructions. A good poker strategy video will not only teach the basics of the game, it can give insights into play style that manuals just can't replicate.

There are a host of reasons to check out a poker strategy video. They include:

Visual learning: A lot of people tend to learn better when they can "see" what's being taught. For this reason alone, a poker strategy video can be a sound decision to check out before getting into the game too much. When visual learning is the preferred choice, a poker strategy video is a good solution.

Rules advice: Most good poker strategy video options out there run through the basic rules of the most popular games. Seeing how they operate can sometimes make them much more clear than just reading or hearing about them. Whether it's five-card stud or Texas Hold 'Em, seeing how the game is played can make a difference in learning the ropes.

Posturing advice: It's one thing to give a person advice for posturing and table behavior, it's another for a person to see it in action. This is where a poker strategy video can really be a huge benefit. These videos often show some of the best possible poker faces, postures and moves. There are even some poker strategy video guides that offer advice for online players as far as posturing and behaviors are concerned.

Hand advice: Seeing how the pros handled different sets of cards and what actions they take can help send the message home more clearly. Since poker strategy video creations tend to show all the action, they can really help beginners and even novices see how to handle different situations and play through correctly.

Betting: The art of making proper bets is a difficult one to learn. Watching a good game on a poker strategy video can help a learning player see the ropes of begging, how it should be done, when it should be done and so on. Viewers of a poker strategy video will also often see how much the pros put down on certain hand combinations. These poker strategy video selections often also spend some time on when to fold, why to fold and when to walk away.

Learning how to play poker in person or online can be a lot of fun. Mastering the game can take some time. This is where a good poker strategy video selection can be very beneficial.

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Three Main Reasons Why Sky Poker Is Thriving Within The Internet Poker Niche

Are you interested in internet poker? If you are, you may well have noticed that Sky Poker is running a high-profile advertising campaign of late in the media, which is designed to draw in new customers. Extravagant advertising campaigns can certainly create a lot of interest, but many interested parties might wonder whether all of the hype will be justified by the product that Sky Poker offers.

At times it can be difficult to choose between the various internet poker networks, and whilst it might be tempting to just stick with the well known brands, it may not necessarily be the better option.

This report will evaluate the way in which Sky Poker scores on the elements that matter most to most online poker followers. This will help you decide whether they are the best option for your requirements.

A Sky Poker Bonus: Why It's Important For First Time Players

Clients are especially interested in the bonuses offered by poker providers. These give users the chance to sample the website without risking a great deal of their own money, which means this plays a key part when it comes to attracting new clients. What's more, bonuses present the chance to get something for nothing, since all cash won with the use of them can be retained by the user. There are even specialized bonus comparison sites online which are often used by clients looking for the hottest deal.

After starting up a new account at Sky Poker, new clients have the chance to obtain the sought after Sky Poker' bonus. While bonuses are inclined to alteration once in a while, the present?1000 Sky Poker bonus is certainly one of the best promotions around at the present time.At the time of signing up, you may well be asked to provide a Sky Poker bonus code, which may be obtained from a suitable bonuses site. This is not always necessary however it is preferable to check prior to opening up an account.

The Sky Poker Web Pages: Components And Usability

The importance of an online poker website's design and style is not to be underestimated. In cases where a client struggles to find what he or she is looking for easily, he or she will almost certainly get discouraged and then look elsewhere.

The basic style and design within the Sky Poker site is comparable to various other poker websites. Various categories of poker games have been listed down the left, with the most popular poker games displayed in the middle.

In case you are new to internet poker you will see that Sky Poker offers low limit tables where you can learn about the game with small buy-ins. They also allow people to evaluate their latest performance history in real time, from within the actual poker game. Members are able to see their previous movements, the hands that they participated in, bets made, wins, and also losses. This can be a great resource which is designed to assist both new as well as experienced people improve their skills.

Sky Poker Client Help And Support

In terms of help and support Sky Poker does very well. Links to everything a customer may need to solve most problems can be found at the top of each screen on a help menu. It is also possible to contact the company directly. Contact details for the helpdesk are displayed prominently via another link. Clients can find answers to every conceivable inquiry via these links.

All of the modern security features you would expect to see are incorporated in the website's online payment system. Although online payment is common these days, some customers may still have concerns about this. For their benefit, full information about the secure payments can be found on the site.

The website displays all of the normal and necessary warning messages about responsible gaming. Links to help websites are provided for any customer who believes they may be developing an addiction.

Conclusion

While we've looked at a few important components of Sky Poker, if there was a bit longer, there are unquestionably other factors we could discuss. Having said that, most people are merely seeking a brief assessment to help them make a decision. Therefore by simply concentrating on some of these important components of their service, I am hoping it should enable you to form a true assessment of the different internet poker networks within the niche.

Additional information pertaining to online poker networks and bonus deals can be obtained by going online to a suitable poker bonus codes website. It is always best to get recent knowledge about the latest Sky Poker bonus promotion prior to opening a new account.

On Reasons Why I Love Playing Poker

Millions of people are now playing poker. With the advent of the internet, poker became more accessible as more and more sites offer online poker tables to poker enthusiasts. Each person plays poker for different reasons. Many play for the simple love of the game while other play for the monetary gain that they can get.

I have been a poker player for more than a year now and I can say that for the past years, I have really enjoyed playing poker, particularly Texas Holdem. I got hooked into the game when my college roommate started playing poker and he started making good money although it was online. I got interested and started playing myself. That was when I got hooked into the sport.

Then I realized a lot of things. Poker is not a game card game. It is a game that demands skills and a little bit of luck. Of course, luck is still a big factor. That is why you see a lot of people who win huge amounts of money playing poker yet lose everything that they've won in one night. Of course, they don't stop at one loss, they come back again tomorrow hoping that luck will play them better cards. I have seen all this too many times on poker tables. People always feel that they need luck to win poker.

Of course, other than the rigorous demand of poker for skills, there are other reasons why I love playing poker. Here are the main five reasons why I do:

1. Playing poker is profitable. Instead of playing against the casino in other online games (which oftentimes give them the better edge), you are playing with actual persons and actual players whose skills can match yours or not. I used to start playing online poker and I am still doing it but whenever possible, I try to play on real casinos to create a better feel of what poker is really all about.

2. When playing poker, you get better as you play more. Poker is not like other sports where your age limits your ability to play like football or soccer. With poker, age does not matter. As long as you play day by day, you can acquire more skills and thus, get better.

3. The game of poker is intellectually stimulating. Poker requires strategies and bluffing, also requires that you read your opponent's non-verbal language. You have to know the odds and tell the telltale signs that your opponent is faking.

4. Poker is fun. I talk a lot when I play poker and I have made a couple of acquaintances when I played online or offline.

5. Playing poker is fun, fun fun! It's just pure plain fun. The thrill of not knowing how your opponent plays and how you can bluff them without them realizing it creates all the excitement. The entire poker room is a room full of entertainment.

For this reason, I am definitely playing poker for the years to come. No one can stop me as I don't foresee poker popularity going down.

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