How do I bet the Pot and 1/2 Pot at Omaha?

[Emily Trott]

When I play cash NL Hold 'Em (NLHE) in New Hampshire when the new dealer comes in they always play a hand of NL Omaha as a "bomb pot". It really caught my interests because the calculations are more like 7 Card Stud, which was the big game in my youth, than they are like NLHE.

Since then I've been playing quite a bit online. The problem I find is that the freerolls, Low level cash games, and no cost games at Replay Poker let me push a button to bet the Pot. I won't be able to just push a button when playing live so how do it do it? Say that I will bet the pot (or 1/2 pot)? Or just put in a stack equal to the bet after calculating the pot?

I know that I could have just looked it up online, but I'd rather get my advice from my friends here rather than some artificial intelligence.

 

[monkeytilter]

When I play cash NL Hold 'Em (NLHE) in New Hampshire when the new dealer comes in they always play a hand of NL Omaha as a "bomb pot". It really caught my interests because the calculations are more like 7 Card Stud, which was the big game in my youth, than they are like NLHE.

Since then I've been playing quite a bit online. The problem I find is that the Freerolls, Low level cash games, and no cost games at Replay Poker let me push a button to bet the Pot. I won't be able to just push a button when playing live so how do it do it? Say that I will bet the pot (or 1/2 pot)? Or just put in a stack equal to the bet after calculating the pot?

I know that I could have just looked it up online, but I'd rather get my advice from my friends here rather than some artificial intelligence.

There's no shame in asking the dealer what a pot bet will be, you can then scale it to 1/2, 3/4, pot whatever you are going for, it's not like you are doing it hand after hand, it's just when it occurs during the the bomb pots.

 

[Emily Trott]

There's no shame in asking the dealer what a pot bet will be, you can then scale it to 1/2, 3/4, pot whatever you are going for, it's not like you are doing it hand after hand, it's just when it occurs during the the bomb pots.

Thank you for taking the time to reply, and I apologize for not explaining more clearly. The bomb pots are no limit just like the regular game. I was curious about how to handle it in an actual Omaha cash game or tournament.

 

[monkeytilter]

Thank you for taking the time to reply, and I apologize for not explaining more clearly. The bomb pots are no limit just like the regular game. I was curious about how to handle it in an actual Omaha cash game or tournament.

Sorry I missed the NL part there.
My point about establishing what a "pot" bet would be with the dealer be stands.

You need to consider overpot bets too (including all in shoves):
how they facilitate your bluffs (are villains more likely to fold to bigger bets for example);
can you deny equity to draws more often with them? (again get more folds?)
can you get more value with them? (e,g is it it likely you have coolered your opponents? Getting stacks is easier at NL than PL where we can't overbet)

 

[Emily Trott]

Sorry I missed the NL part there.
My point about establishing what a "pot" bet would be with the dealer be stands.

You need to consider overpot bets too (including all in shoves):
how they facilitate your bluffs (are villains more likely to fold to bigger bets for example);
can you deny equity to draws more often with them? (again get more folds?)
can you get more value with them? (e,g is it it likely you have coolered your opponents? Getting stacks is easier at NL than PL where we can't overbet)

Thank you for all of your advice!!

 

[Kpaprince]

Great question, and you’re not alone—this is one of the most confusing parts of switching from online to live Omaha.

In live Pot-Limit Omaha, a pot-sized bet is calculated as:
Pot + any bet you must call

So the easiest way to think about it at the table is:

1. Ask the dealer what the pot is (this is completely normal in live games).
2. If there’s a bet in front of you, add the amount you’d need to call.
3. The total of those two numbers is the maximum you’re allowed to bet.

Example:

• Pot = $100
• Opponent bets $50
• To bet pot: you call $50 first → pot becomes $200
• You can now raise up to $200 more (total bet = $250)

For a ½-pot bet, I usually just take half of the pot before my call and round to a clean number. Live poker doesn’t need to be exact to the dollar—being close and consistent is perfectly fine.

Also, don’t worry about announcing it perfectly. You can simply say:

• “Pot”
• “Half pot”
• or “I’m betting $___”
  The dealer will help make sure it’s legal.

After a few sessions, the math becomes second nature. Early on, it’s much more important to focus on why you’re betting than hitting the exact number.