Bluffing in Omaha
Reserve your bluffs for just a couple of opponents
Like everything else about Omaha, bluffing can be exhilarating but just a little bit tricky too at the same time. A lot depends on your position, your opponents, number of opponents and the board. Most bluffing in Omaha is done on the flop. It’s usually difficult to bluff more than two opponents in Omaha as in a multi-way pot at least one player nearly always a hand they fancy.
Aced the board
Some good bluffing opportunities are when you are the preflop raiser and have just one opponent and there is an Ace on board, it’s usually a good time to represent the Ace here whether you actually have it or not.
Use opponents fear against them
Scary boards such as 3 of a suit can also be a good time to bluff, especially if you are in position and have just one or two opponents, it helps of course if you have the Ace of that suit. With such a board there is no need to do a pot sized bluff either, about half the pot is normally sufficient. It just needs to work greater than one time in three to show a profit.
Take a shot at unexciting looking board
Innocuous looking boards, can also be a good spot to bluff, with a board showing something like Q-7-2, there’s good chance that the boards completely missed your opponents, often the first player to act can take the pot down.
Don’t bluff a fish
You also have to take your opponents into account when bluffing, some loose opponents won’t drop a hand if they have caught even the slightest bit of the board, with these players in the hand keep your bluffs to an absolute minimum and make them pay to see you when you do actually have a hand.
Thinking about bluffing the turn, have you got backup?
Bluffing occurs less frequently on the turn and when it is done, it’s usually done as a semi-bluff, i.e. if you do get looked up you have backup in the form of outs to a winning hand. Whether to semi-bluff on the turn, really depends on just how many and how good your actual outs are, also on your opponent. Some players routinely call on the flop with minor holdings, but will drop many hands if a second barrel comes their way, while many others will be reluctant to drop their hand once making that call on the flop.
Be selective with bluffs on the river
Bluffing can occur on the river when you believe a scare card has come for your opponent, say the board shows a flush draw or pairs up. Some selective bluffing can be done in this spot if you have reason to believe the board has not helped your opponent, but you need to be wary that a) It’s not wishful thinking on your part. If the board hasn’t helped you then that obviously increases the chances that it has helped your opponent and b) Can your opponent drop what might be a reasonable hand even if the river is a scary one for him. One common big bluff on the river is when the river brings a possible flush and you have the lone Ace of the suit.
