Omaha is an interesting game and, as many attest, is quite profitable, but there is comparatively little material you could find to learn safely from, and Hold’em is in fact a good place to start for anyone. At the present time Hold’em ranks as the most popular game in casinos and online and has received much attention in media and literature (online and in book form).
Now that that’s over, the next step is some personal soul searching to determine your proclivity for risk..
If you are the one that goes sky-diving and opens your parachute at the last minute, you thrive on risk. If the mere thought of sky diving at all makes you quiver all over, you do not. If you fall into the first category of risk but cannot control your impulses, just watch other people play the game the game and stay out of it yourself. If you are unable to figure out the degree of risk you are comfortable with, there are tests available to help you determine this. For the risk takers, no-limit cash and tournament games are the best bets.
Next in your self-awareness exercise program is to determine if you are a mathematician or a behavioral psychologist. You calculators are meant for limit games. If you are able to discern the cards that your opponents have in their hands by reading various bodily signals, you are the one that should be in no-limit and multi table tournament (MTT) games.
No-limit and MTT games are both very good poker forms for you to develop your game if you are willing to put in the time to learn them well. Due to the rarity of the high-level limit games, you won’t find as much chance to develop your skills as you would in no-limit and MTT. The best place for future world poker champions to grow their game is in tournament play.
The least potential for players reach the heights of fame and fortune is in limit poker. The best games for would-be poker champs are tournament games and high profile no limit games.
Limit poker is far more prevalent and available online than in casinos or clubs. Tournament poker should gain the attention of all players in public establishments because it is the only form of the game officially designated as a sport.
If you consider poker as a profitable profession, you will systematically target games with a high percentage of weak players. Because of accessible literature, the amount of weak players is particularly low in limit Hold’em. Focus on no-limit and tournament poker, training yourself accordingly, whatever you feel your inclinations are initially. Limits higher than $1/$2 may already prove too large a piece of cake. In SnGs, the beginner may want to stay bellow $20+$2, in no-limit bellow NL$100. Below these levels, basic knowledge of poker principles are likely to suffice. Higher levels will demand intense efforts to study the game, and even the studious player is not guaranteed consistent wining.
The above suggestions are all well and good for first steps. With experience and continuing education, you will be able to answer many of your questions clearly on your own.
The author is a successful limit cash game player. He plays poker online and receives Rakeback at Gutshot Poker and Rakeback at Betfair Poker.