Omaha hi-lo is an intriguing poker variation that features multiple combinations of winning hands. Omaha is not a game for beginners. You need to understand how select quality starting cards and you need to know how to draw and redraw to a variety of different hands. Here are some tips to help your excel in Omaha hi-lo.
Omaha Hi-Lo Strategy - Loose Games
When you play Omaha hi-lo at a loose table, you need to be cautious. The looseness of the game will force you to reconsider what constitutes a winning hand. If you're competing against players who love to participate in the pot no matter what, then you need to realize that it's going to take a big hand to take down most pots. When compared to hold'em, Omaha features much bigger hands and larger amounts of multi-way pots. At a loose table, two pair isn't going to be enough to win. More often than not, you're going to need a nut-flush, nut-straight or full house to win. At a loose table, you need to have the nuts for your low hands as well. You don't want to draw to the second best low-hand. If you're aiming for the low-hand in a loose game, make sure it's the nut-low.
Omaha Hi-Lo Strategy - Tight Games
When you play Omaha hi-lo at tight table, you don't have to worry about holding the nuts every hand. If the players around you are conservative about which starting hands they choose to play, then you can afford to loosen up your game. Go after more draws. See if you can hit that king-high flush. Chase after low-hands that may not be the best. When the table is playing tight, you can take advantage of the situation and win more pots with relatively weaker hands. Don't go overboard though. Your pair of jacks is probably not going to be enough to take down the pot when there are multiple connecting cards on the board.
Scoop It Up
When you play Omaha hi-lo, your primary goal should be to scoop the whole pot. Winning half the pot with an eight-or-better high hand or an eight-or-lower low hand is nice, but the best hands to play are the hands that give you the opportunity to scoop up all the chips. If you only aim for the high hand, you will always be splitting pots. If you always target the low hand, you risk being quartered (splitting an already split pot). The hands that give you the best opportunity to scoop are hands that include A2 suited. When you have the chance to chase the nut-flush (ace-high flush) and the nut-low (the wheel), you'll be in a good position to scoop the whole pot. You won't be able to scoop the pot every hand, but if you make scooping one your primary objectives, you'll make better starting hand decisions and ultimately win you more pots. Keep in mind that if there's no low hand possible, you'll scoop the whole pot with a winning high hand.
Omaha hi-lo is an exciting poker variation that caters to players who enjoy multiple possibilities. If you're sitting at a loose table, only play for the nuts. If the table is tight, you can loosen up and chase after more draws. Remember, when you play Omaha hi-lo, you always want to try to scoop the entire pot. Play hands that give you options for both the high and the low.
