Farha on Omaha: Expert Strategy for Beating Cash Games and Tournaments

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Have been reading this book for a few days and it is one most people could do without. From blatant errors of just about every kind...textual mistakes to simple pot odd mistakes, it makes me wonder if Sam Farha had anything to do with even writing this book. It is time to wonder about who is actually writing these poker books. Pot odds mistakes? Telling you it is good expected value to walk away from a favored drawing hand because it is the last hand of the night? I mean give me a break...spend your money on the Farha Bobblehead Doll instead of the book because it may actually help your poker more.

This book doesn't deliver. I suspect that the contribution of each author is inversely proportional to the size of text used for his name on the cover.

The authors devote excessive space to structured limit Omaha high. That's a very unusual (and awful) game. Although the basic advice in this section isn't too far off, the conceptual arguments have some fundamental flaws.

The pot-limit section contradicts itself with respect to the importance of hand selection within the first two pages. Farha relates the story of an elaborate bluff that's a little bit interesting but in the end comes off as a brag.

There are better books on this subject. Try Doyle Brunson's Super System II or Pot-Limit & No-Limit Poker.

This book has nothing related to "expert strategy". This is position for amateurs who love watching Farha on the youtube and reading some stories from his life. Your Omaha will not be any better because of this book.
I spend money for expert tuition not for reading stories from sb life. I would give 0/5 but the scale does not go that far.

Sam Farha, Farha on Omaha (Triumph, 2007)

When my favorite poker player puts out a book about my favorite poker game, it's pretty much a given that I'm going to pick it up. As expected, the book is written in Sammy's easy conversational style, and counsels two different ways to play the game: both the textbook way and "the Sammy way." Anyone who's watched Sammy on High Stakes Poker knows that the Sammy way varies greatly from the textbook way; young bucks like Negreanu and Ivey may be aggressive, but Sammy's in a whole other realm. Whether that's a good place to be or not is subject to debate, but there's no arguing with Farha's success at poker year after year. The man's doing something right.

Farha opines in the introduction that Omaha, a much more volatile and action-based game than Hold'em, is going to be the next big poker craze. I've been plying pot-limit Omaha online for a few years now, and I can definitely see the tables filling up faster than they used to; if you want to get in on the action, best to get in on the ground floor and know what you're doing when all those people who smugly turn over a four-flush and watch you rake in the chips with two pair start playing the game. It's a fun game, and Sam Farha has penned a fun book to go with it. Good stuff, this, and recommended. ****

Wow, I was really disappointed in this book. I've seen Sammy play Omaha, and all I can figure is that he didn't write this book. Ghostwriters are big in the publishing business, but I wonder if Sammy read this book before it was released. If you want a book that will help you (and that doesn't waste space covering limit high Omaha, which no one plays anymore), then buy Jeff Hwang's book.
Sorry, Sammy, I like you. But I've already given your book to Goodwill.

I am an aspiring semi-pro poker player, and I found this book very insightful. It covers a lot of the basics, but it also throws in a lot of very sophisticated plays that high level players can utilize best. That's the part that I think reviewers up to this point have not mentioned that I was pleasantly surprised by. His parts about the "right" way and the "Sammy" way are incredibly cool to me because I have already read about the "right" way many a time, and his reasoning makes sense as to why it may be more profitable at times to play outside the box. He believes in big pots, big bets, and big action, but all in a context of causing his opponents to make the mistakes and making good reads. Calling this book simply "basic" would be wrong as it has some very original stuff I have not seen in Super System or the other books I've read. I gave it a five star to make up for the bad reviews. :)

(keep in mind I did not read the hi/lo or limit sections as I do not play those games.)

This book contains more stories about Sammy bluffing players off a hand than actual poker strategy.
This book WILL NOT improve your Omaha game.

First of all, the entire first section is devoted entirely to LIMIT OMAHA HI. Does this game even exist anymore? I haven't seen it on ANY of the major online cardrooms, and all the casinos near me offer Hi-Lo only. Just as obnoxious that there's an entire section written about a game that's all but extinct, is the glaring omission of any material on Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo, a game that is BY FAR more widespread than Limit Omaha Hi.

The material is also laid out in huge chunks with no smaller sub-headings in each chapter, making it a very difficult book to reference.

As of the writing of this review, Jeff Hwang's 'Pot-Limit Omaha Poker' -- a FAR superior book, with tons of RELEVANT information and strategy, is selling on Amazon for $3.40 LESS than 'Farha on Omaha'. Do yourself a favor and pick that one up instead.

Sorry Sammy. I love watching you on TV, but your book really stinks.

I have read several book relating to Omaha. Sammy is the first author to begin from the beginning. He starts out explaining Omaha and learning the basic tight strategy to allow even a beginner to start out tight and learn the game before becoming creative. He also does a sound job of explaining Omaha hi/lo-8 from the beginning stages. He describes the tight approach that many players miss when they start.
I think the book is well written in a conversational text. He explains the correct way as well as telling you the "Sammy" way to help you understand some of the types of plays you will face when you begin to play.

Perhaps my expectations were too high. Sammy is a great player, so I expected to get some great insight and guidance. This book did not follow through.
It is filled with generalizations and conflicting statements. Also, the book is divided into 3 sections (Limit Omaha, Omaha/8, Pot-Limit Omaha) where he basically rehashes the same ideas.
I did pick up some useful information about how to play the player as opposed to the cards, but that isn't enough to make up for all of the other weaknesses in this book.

Sammy Farha is one of my favoriate professional poker players, however, this book, bearing Sammy's name is, quite frankly, a disapointment. Calculation errors, poor editing, questionable reasoning, and etc., to the extent I'm wondering who actually wrote this book and whoever edited it was, obviously, preoccupied with something else.

Sorry, Sammy, you are still my favoriate professional poker player, but I must call'em like I see'em: 2 stars, and only because I'm currently in a gernerous mood.

Sorry only in French ... Je trouve se livre vraiment super pour un joueur qui veut débuter au omaha et qui a déjà lu un livre de réference sur le sujet. Ce livre vous donnes les ficelles pour bien miser en limitant les risques et en maximisant les mains fortes. En le lisant attentivement on constate que le style de jeu de Sam est malgrè l'imporession qu'il donne très contrôlé et très structuré.
Un livre facilement lu avec des concept simpoe rapidement exploitable.

This is a can't miss read for poker players looking to move on from Hold 'Em. Omaha, outside the USA, is the most popular poker variant. Sam Farha is known for his Omaha playing style & he shares it with us. His co-writer Storms Reback has done a good job of capturing Sam's speaking style in the text so it really seems like you're getting an Omaha Master Class directly from Sam.

The book is in three parts; one for each Omaha game: Limit, Omaha/8 & Pot Limit Omaha. Each part has a Basic Strategy (as Sam says, the "book way" because you have to learn that first) followed by sections devoted to pre-flop, flop & post flop play along with Sam's Way.

If you enjoy playing all forms of poker, or if you're a poker action junkie, start playing Omaha. If you want to learn how to play it from the inside of a master's mind "Farha on Omaha" should be an immediate buy

If Berry Greenstein has written the Cadillac of Holdem books, Sam Farha has written the Porsche of Omaha books.

Farha takes you from just knowing how to play Omaha to actually understanding the strategy of the game quickly, easily and in an entertaining manner.

He breaks down hand strengths before the flop, after the flop and through the river. He offers insights as to how most players approach the game and how to take advantage of the fact most people today use a Holdem mentality when the sit down to play Omaha (Mistake!!!).

I've only had the chance to play online since reading the book but definitely feel I'm one of the better players at the table already.

If you're looking for an alternative to playing Holdem in a game with lots of action and don't want to lose your butt learning, then I highly remommend this book!

I've read several poker books and I sadly have to give this one a 3.
It lacks some depth when it comes to hands reviews and in general it's not that useful.
Basically it tells you the gaming difference between Limit, Pot Limit and 8 or better Omaha, while not giving any real (and beyond pure-beginner stage) tips or how-to.

I wouldn't consider this book if you are not a complete beginner and a Farha's fan. You'll get disappointed!

Farha does a good job explaining his style, which isn't for everyone. Gives you many things to think about. An easy read.