Omaha High-Low Strategies
There is no question that in all forms of poker the most egregious mistake one can make is playing too many hands. This elemental mistake takes on a whole new meaning in Omaha 8. As already pointed out, with as many as six different hand combinations in every four card hand combined with both high and low hands – there is much to entice the less disciplined poker player to enter the fray. It is this potential weakness in your opponents’ play of hands that needs to be targeted and punished.
If ever there was a poker game wherein the adage of “Tight is Right” were true, it is Omaha 8. While true, it is in Omaha 8 that the adage is most ignored even by some experienced players. These players rationalize that in split pot games many more hands can be played because there are many more hands in play. The truth of the matter is that winning players are much more selective in their starting hands and therefore only enter pots with hands that are usually superior to their opponents’ holdings.
If starting hand selection is the number one key to playing Omaha 8 successfully, then getting away from a hand if the flop doesn’t “fit like a glove” would rank as number two. On the flop, if you already do not hold a strong hand or a draw to the nut hand, folding will most likely be your best play. Now let’s take a look at some of the nuances of the game that should help you in your journey to Omaha 8 success.
Betting the Nuts
While most players look for low cards to start, especially an Ace with a deuce and/or three, possessing the nut high is a safer place to be. When you find yourself in possession of the high nuts you should be betting and raising all you can for you are usually guaranteed of winning at least half the pot and if there is no low hand that qualifies, you will scoop the entire pot.
Possessing the nut low hand is not quite as simplistic as you may be in a tie with one or more players and are vulnerable to being quartered. If the pot is three handed and one player wins the high hand and you tie with the other opponent for low, you will only be awarded twenty-five percent of the pot. This means that even when you hold the nut low, unless you are certain you are the only one, caution must be exercised as every bet you make will have a negative return. A key here is how many players are contesting the pot. In a three way pot, as explained above, quartering will result in a negative outcome. With four players, you could get quartered and break even. With five or more players, if you’re quartered, you will come out slightly positive but it is still not where you want to be. Of course, if more than one other player holds the nut low and there is a three or four way split for low, it can really get ugly. Nut highs are usually infinitely more profitable in Omaha 8.
Flopping a Set
In hold’em, flopping a set usually puts you way out in front of the competition. While flopping a set in Omaha 8 is still good, there are other considerations that need to be recognized due to the nature of the game. With so many other combinations out there, sets are not as valuable as in hold’em. If three low cards are on the board, even if you have the winning high hand, you will need to split the pot with the low hand. Also, if you do not fill up to a full house, you will very often lose to a straight or flush. Another word of caution is filling up to an under full house. That can really be a chip drainer. When the board pairs, permitting full houses to be made, make sure yours is the top dog.
Slow Playing Monsters
Who among us does not enjoy setting a trap during their poker sessions? Generally speaking, Omaha 8 is not the game to slow play monsters. First, the game by its nature stirs up action and you will be called. Your opponents will normally find something to embrace in their six possible combinations and you should charge them for the opportunity to draw thin or even dead. Secondly, even if you ‘know’ you have the absolute brazils for a high hand such as quads, if opponents are drawing to low hands, you need to charge them dearly for that privilege since you will only win half the pot if they qualify. As stated earlier, Omaha 8 is a ramming, jamming type of game.
Folding the Nuts
Yes indeed – I really said that. This is not a very common occurrence but there could be times when real savvy poker players will correctly do just that. Let’s say you’re holding an Ace, deuce with two uncoordinated high cards and the flop comes down with three straight cards eight or under, such as 5-6-7, with a two flush which doesn‘t hit you. Wow, you just flopped the low nuts. Now if a raising war breaks out it might be time to assess the situation. You are likely playing for only a quarter of the pot and worse yet, if an Ace or deuce counterfeits your hand, it becomes worthless. Have the foresight and discipline to toss the nuts in the muck on occasion.
The Value of Counterfeit Protection
While it is many times prudent not to get too frisky even with an A2 type hand, if you have a third low card such as a three, you can start to jam many pots. As an example, if you hold A-2-3-Q and the flops comes down K-7-4 then your low draw is to the nuts and you’re protected from being counterfeited by holding the third low card. Start throwing some chips at this pot.
The Key to Success
If there is one nugget about Omaha 8 that you take away from this lesson, here it is. In order to really become a profitable Omaha 8 player you not only need to have the nuts but you need to also have cards that give you redraws. This key to success underlines the need for all four of your cards to be contributing to the value of your hand. Remain acutely aware of backdoor draws that may allow you to win three quarters of the pot instead of just splitting it.
Conclusion
When just starting out in Omaha 8, especially if you are not up against a strong line up, just playing tighter than the table, utilizing solid starting hand selection may enable you to turn a profit. However, as the competition strengthens so must you. Then you must place greater emphasis on the number of players in the pot, your position, the size of the pot and how your opponents are playing to achieve success. Remember, the key to avoiding being put to difficult decisions is to make your first decision of hand selection a quality one.
Omaha 8 is a fun, challenging game that will really keep you engaged as figuring your hand potential is much more complex than in hold’em. As stated in the introduction, players seem to either love it or eschew it. Give it a whirl – you just might become an Omaholic!
Next Lesson: Additional Omaha Resources