Limit Omaha-preflop

D

Deadfish

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Jan 21, 2009
Total posts
25
Chips
0
I usually don't play much omaha, but when I do I have the tendancy to play a bunch of hands pre-flop that I feel I shouldn't. All of my poker reading has pretty much gone into Hold'em and I am not as familiar with the odds of starting hands in Omaha. I feel like I am always playing low pairs, suited connectors, and AK--, AQ--, AJ--. These types of hands seem to always seem to come up for me. It seems like I can find a way to validate calling pretty much any raise in limit omaha and I never find myself folding very often.

In Limit Hold'em you can usually find a "general" cutoff in playing pocket pairs, suited connectors on occasion, and A10 or higher.

Any suggestions as to a general cutoff for limit omaha?
 
smd173

smd173

Cardschat Elite
Silver Level
Joined
Apr 10, 2005
Total posts
1,520
Chips
0
Generally in Omaha you want all 4 of your cards possibly working for you. For instance with AKQ6, the 6 isn't doing much for you unless perhaps it's suited along with the A. Basically breakdown your starting hands as AK, AQ, A6, KQ, and K6.

Now based on pot odds and position, it might be worth taking a look at a flop every so often with a hand like that. But you need to be drawing to the nuts when you play Omaha. Especially in limit where it will be cheap for everyone to hang around.
 
Divebitch

Divebitch

Miss you, Buckster,,,,,
Silver Level
Joined
Apr 30, 2008
Total posts
3,130
Awards
1
Chips
1
I usually don't play much omaha, but when I do I have the tendancy to play a bunch of hands pre-flop that I feel I shouldn't. All of my poker reading has pretty much gone into Hold'em and I am not as familiar with the odds of starting hands in Omaha. I feel like I am always playing low pairs, suited connectors, and AK--, AQ--, AJ--. These types of hands seem to always seem to come up for me. It seems like I can find a way to validate calling pretty much any raise in limit omaha and I never find myself folding very often.

In Limit Hold'em you can usually find a "general" cutoff in playing pocket pairs, suited connectors on occasion, and A10 or higher.

Any suggestions as to a general cutoff for limit omaha?

SMD173 has given you a perfect answer. Starting hands don't have to be perfect, but every card should be doing a job, however small. His example of the 6 is excellent. But if at least the ace & Q or K are suited, you might make concessions in late position.

Not sure what you mean by 'cutoff'. Again, I think the answer depends on your other cards. Low pairs have very major issues. If you hit a set, you are hoping for the board to pair up for the boat. But when that happens, you'll likely be beaten by a bigger boat. Do yourself a favor. For beginners (and intermediate alike), this book will help you....
Amazon.com: Pot-Limit Omaha Poker: Jeff Hwang: Books

You'll learn about starting hards, and things like why a QT98 is not as powerful as a QJ98 or even a T986. There's a huge (1/3 the book) section on limit OHL8, but nothing specifically on limit Omaha Hi. I don't think it's a widely found game all by itself. But it's still a great book. The betting chapter for HL8 would still be applicable to Omaha Hi.
 
M

mpbmoney

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Jan 10, 2009
Total posts
30
Chips
0
Pre-flop, I think hands consisting of 4 cards that work together (6s7s8d9d) are good to play when it is cheap to see the flop or you have good pot odds. However, when facing a big raise, I would much rather have AsAc6dJh than the hand I listed above.
 
Divebitch

Divebitch

Miss you, Buckster,,,,,
Silver Level
Joined
Apr 30, 2008
Total posts
3,130
Awards
1
Chips
1
However, when facing a big raise, I would much rather have AsAc6dJh than the hand I listed above.

He's talking about limit. And that's precisely why I dislike of NL, or even HE. In Omaha (PL & limit), people laugh about the usual HE transferees overvaluing their naked aces. And rightfully so.
 
Top