We know that the roots of poker date back many centuries, but it is often hard to say when and where variations of the game spring from. Sometimes these are clouded in mystery and sometimes we know exactly how a particular game of poker evolved.

Texas Hold ‘em for example, we know exactly how this game got started and that it is the most popular version of poker being played world-wide. However Omaha poker is another kettle of fish and seems to be shrouded somewhat in mystery. It also just happens to be the most widely played version of poker after Texas Hold ‘em, so it is an interesting exercise to try and uncover its roots.

Some poker historians are of the consensus that Omaha was a rogue version of Texas Hold’em which was invented in a local poker club in Omaha, Nebraska – while others guarantee this is not the case. We are just grateful that the game was not invented in Intercourse, Pennsylvania. If it had, it might be called “Intercourse Poker” and may not have risen to the heights of popularity it enjoys today, although I do believe strip poker is pretty popular!

Most people refer to the game as simply Omaha and it is highly regarded and regularly played in the biggest poker tournaments in the world.

What makes it a better deal than Texas Hold’em is players get to choose from nine cards to make up their poker hand and this allows them more options. It also involves more decision making, so a choice of nine cards balances the good with the bad, and it is often played in the form of a Hi-Lo split.

Less than thirty years ago, definitive books written by professional poker players such as Doyle Brunson and David Sklansky, make no mention of Omaha at all, so we surmise that back then the game had not yet arrived. Not even a “blip” on the poker radar screen!
Things have however changed dramatically in the poker world, and they have changed quickly. What were home played staple poker diets may not have come to the attention of the big boys, but they were being played and the world was fast becoming a smaller place. So Omaha was introduced to Las Vegas casinos around 1982, and became an overnight success.

It was called the “poker game of the future” and this is has certainly proven to be the case if you look at Omaha’s wide-spread popularity. It is a tournament staple, and its popularity grew so quickly because of the fact that it is an attention grabber. Omaha always promises plenty of action and because of the popularity of playing online poker, and televising games, Omaha has spread and become popular all over the world.

Seeing the evolution of a game such as this becoming so popular so quickly, it stands to reason that many more incarnations of poker will follow. We may never find out what their exact roots are, but as long as they are being play for pleasure, that is all that really counts.