Omaha High/Low Strategies
Omaha differs from Hold’em in two ways. One, each player is dealt four
hole cards instead of two. And two, you must use precisely two of these
hole cards when making your final hand.
The good news is that you can make use of six different combinations of
hole cards when making a hand, providing a greater degree of certainty
as to whether your hand will be a winner. Unlike Hold’em, which is a
game of random accuracy, Omaha is a game of the nuts. When you’re dealt
your hole cards, remember that you can win money with both the best high
hand and the best low hand. But because of the range of hands that can
be formed, you should be selective and play very few hands, so get used
to folding, folding and folding some more. Playing with hands other than
those suggested here will, in the long run, land you in the mire.
Conversely, if you’re only playing starting hands with a high chance of
paying off, you’ll want to raise when you do play a hand to get as much
money into the pot as possible.
Strong starting hands that you should look to play on all occasions
AA23
AA2x
AA3x
A23x
A2KK
A2QQ
A2KQ
A2KJ
A345
A346
A356
A3KK
A3QQ
23QQ
23KK
Starting hands to play up to one raise
A2xx
234x
AKQJ
KQJ 10
KQJ 9
KKQQ
KKJJ
KK24
QJ 10 9
AAxx
A3xx
KK 10 10
Unlike hold’em, in which there’s an inherent degree of randomness, Omaha
is more a game of certainties where the outcome of most hands is known
on the flop. If the flop comes down and you don’t have the nuts – or are
drawing to the nuts – then get the hell out of dodge.
The Flop
As mentioned earlier, if you don’t have the nuts or a draw to the nuts,
then get out. Don’t spend time, or even more importantly your money,
playing or chasing second best… it’ll only end in tears.
Here’s a piece of useful advice; watch out for The Straight on Flop Trap
(or SOFT for short), as these hands can be pure evil… you have been
warned. Let’s illustrate by example. The flop comes 6d, 7d, 8c and
you’re holding 9c, 10h, Ah, Kc, so whoppee-do you’ve hit the straight.
But before you chuck your car keys into the middle and risk the shirt
off your back because you’ve hit the nut straight, think about it. Any
diamond will give someone a flush, and any 9 or 10 and it’s odds-on that
someone’s going to have a higher straight than you. Also, it’s almost a
certainty that someone’s made the low hand, which means you only stand
to win half the pot anyway. And you could end up losing that too, so be
careful.
Low draws on the flop can equal high hopes. If you’re holding a hand
such as A234 and only one low card appears on the flop, unless you have
a draw to a decent high hand too (such as an Ace high flush), then it’s
probably best to bin it. Conversely, if two low cards appear on the
flop, pump your money into the middle, especially if you hit the nut low
and have redraws to a strong high too!
Similarly, if you have a high hand with no possibility of a low and the
board looks like it’s giving a low, then only stay in if your high hand
is exceptionally good. If it’s not, or you’re not sure, then get out.
The turn
Come the turn, you should have a very good idea as to whether or not you
still have the winning hand, so it’s a simple matter of now betting
accordingly. For example, if you have the nuts then don’t hang about,
get your cash in the pot. If you don’t, be very careful indeed.
The river
Now excuse what may be an unfortunate turn of phrase, but if you don’t
have the nuts then don’t act all macho. If there’s action on the river
and you’re not holding either the nut high or nut low, then nine times
out of ten it pays to bin it. Don’t let your commitment to the hand
convince you that you have a chance of winning. Be brave, throw it away
and live to fight another day.
The above strategy guide relates to Omaha High/Low by
Victor Chandler Poker, all in-game descriptions relate to the
Victor Chandler Poker website.
Recommended Online Poker sites for new
players:
Ladbrokes Poker
William Hill Poker
Coral Poker
bet365 Poker
WPTonline
Victor Chandler Poker
Pacific Poker
PartyPoker
More recommended Poker Guides:
Introduction
to Online Poker
Poker Tips
Texas
Hold'em Guide
Texas Hold'em Strategies
Omaha Guide
Omaha Strategies
Omaha
High/Low Guide
Omaha High/Low
Strategies
Draw Poker Guide
Lowball Poker Guide
Poker Hand
Rankings explained |
