Tactics - Omaha: Rookie mistakes

Eurosport - Fri, 26 Sep 14:39:00 2008

If you are a regular player of Hold 'Em and switch to Omaha Hi-Low then you are a liable to make some rookie errors.

Chips, POKER - 0

The number of draws available in Omaha Hi-Low because of the four card holdings and split pots make it a potential minefield.

The most common mistake is drawing to only half of the pot. This is known as being 'quartered' and happens when you share half of the pot while your opponent gets the other half.

While it is possible to share the high side of the pot, getting quartered usually involves sharing the low and that is why the first rule of Omaha Hi-Lo is to try and play hands with potential to win both sides of the pot, known as scooping.

Just as you are liable to get quartered as new players tend to favour low hands, you can conversely three-quarter your opponents by sealing the high side while having a chance to share the low side.

To avoid being quartered normally requires a back-up low card in your hand for insurance for those times when an Ace or two land on the board.

The best time to avoid being quartered is early, especially when two or more opponents are raising and re-raising.

There are times when it is obvious to you that you will share the low side of the pot but you should call the last bet when the pot is large enough by the river to gain a positive return.

Drawing to the second best hand is also common due to the large number of possible hand combinations and can eliminated by being cautious with the hands you play pre-flop.

Playing only hands containing Aces is a good strategy for newcomers as Aces work for both high and low hands and so increase the value.

Giving a free card by failing to bet a made hand or strong draw on the flop is also common and often results in the hand matched by a turn card the same as your lowest card or giving an opponent a draw to a high hand that they would have folded.

If you play the best starting hands and charge your opponents to draw out on you then that will eliminate that scenario.

Also newcomers get lured by entering the hand on the cheap and play trouble hands that are often the second best because again of the large number of possible hand combinations.

The most important Omaha Hi-Low decision is whether or not you enter the pot so be shrewd.

Angus MacKenzie / Eurosport

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