Omaha Hi-lo

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kevkojak

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I have a problem...I enjoy Omaha, but I suck at it! lol
I've won plenty in cash games, but even when i've won a big pot there is usually someone at the table telling me I should never have played the hand... Now I know thats what sore losers always say, but after watching a couple of tutorials on Hi-lo even I can see I play far too many hands.
I need some decent articles on hand selection if anyone has a good link? Currently I play pretty much all my double suited hands, every A2 for the low, most AK/AQ for the high's and unless the pot is getting out of control, most pairs! And those are the ok hands I play...it gets much worse!
I want to tighten my game up as this is my game of choice, particularly on pokerstars with the $3+.50 NL games.
Many thanks in advance.
 
slycbnew

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Search the internet for omaha starting hands, there are several straightforward guides.

Simple version - play hands that can scoop (i.e., win both the high and the low), generally suited A's w wheel cards, suited A's w more than one wheel card are very strong (A23x ss), suited A's w a 2 or 3 and broadwa cards, etc. Play high only hands only in late position. Don't fall in love w pairs, other than AAxx/KKxx ss w a wheel card (AA23 double suited is the strongest starting hand in O8). Hands composed purely of wheel cards (5432 for example) can also be strong. Toss double suited hands w a high card of a Q or less if there's nothing else useful in the hand.
 
Dreams of Tragedy

Dreams of Tragedy

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I would start hitting the books for this. due to that how i learn
 
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nupryn

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it might be worth watching a med/high stakes omaha hi/lo game online and see how the action plays out and what hands result. i'm sure you can find replayed hands in omaha to get an idea..
 
kmixer

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If you really want to tighten up you game then start with one major piece of advice.

The ace is the most important card in this game (most poker games for that matter) in O8 the "don't leave home without one" is a sure fire way to ensure you can win at this game. Once you have seen your hand and it contains an ace then you need to evaluate if it can scoop a whole pot. There are other important factors including having a 2 or 3 in your hand to help secure the low. Also a suited Ace becomes needed as well.

I know this limits our range to about 15% or so maybe ever lower but you sought to tighten up your game. With that in mind this is no doubt the best place to start. If you only meant to tighten it up a little then there are certainly other hands that we can discuss playing in position.
 
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Divebitch

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Here's some of the best (albeit heady) stuff I've ever read on the game. Not a book, just 2 somewhat lengthy articles. This guy's got a rock solid understanding of the game, IMO. The first article has 2 sections on starting hands.

http://www.playwinningpoker.com/omaha/strategy/

http://www.playwinningpoker.com/omaha/pot-limit/plo8/

As kmixer points out, aces are of critical importance, particularly if suited. As sly points out 4 low cards w/no ace are also good; if an ace plus any other low card flops, you're almost golden. Middle cards (7 - J) are kinda junk, but if all connected, or with a middle or lower gapper, playable from late position. Two connected pocket pairs are always playable, the higher the better. You development judgment w/experience, and make gametime decisions dependiing on position, action thus far, and simply how the hand works together. All 4 cards should be doing a job - unless you have something like A23x. hehehehe P.S. On the 'action thus far', if I'm in the SB or even button, and there is already a 3-bet before the cutoff, and I'm sitting there with an A28T rainbow, I will drop it like a hot potato. You will likely be quartered if you're 'lucky'.
 
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kmixer

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Dive made some excellent points. In addition tightening up means not only which hands to play but when to fold if the premium holding flops bad.

Oh and don't play for (draw at) low only. Getting 1/4d is a good way to go broke.
 
kmixer

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Thanks for the links Dive. i am pretty sure I haven't read those. That's about to change.

One question about what you said about two pocket pairs that are connected. Do these need to be directly connected in your opinion or can they have a gap like 8866. I know that AAKK and KKQQ would be prefered. I am also ok with playing KKJJ since all four of my cards are 10 and above. I do this with caution though knowing that if a low flop hits (one with 3 or 3 low cards) I am almost always out of the hand after seeing this.
 
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Divebitch

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Thanks for the links Dive. i am pretty sure I haven't read those. That's about to change.

Funny, in the 2nd paragraph, he says these are not even advanced concepts. I wish he did write a book. I love his writing style too. This is a good passage:

Why play Omaha?... This website is called Play Winning Poker. While some newbies reading this Introduction will be hard pressed to do it right away, :p the aim is to win at Omaha -- not have fun, or even to irritate yourself. :laugh: Frankly, at lower limits, winning at Omaha is easy, if you really are trying to win because most Omaha players play terribly, much worse than they play Holdem (which is not so good to start with).
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Enjoy!
 
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