Online Casino Conditions - Omaha Hi/Lo Tips

When looking at the structure and rules of the game, Omaha is a poker game in and of itself. As for strategy, it does not differ much than the strategies used to play other poker games, such as that used for Texas Holdem. Omaha games can produce substantially large pots in the Hi/Lo format, which perhaps explains why so many players stay in the entire game. Even with mediocre hands, many Omaha players hold out until the very end. Perhaps, since two hands can potentially be formed, players hold out longer in hopes that at least one of their hands will be worthy of taking the pot. However, besides the fact that many times a split pot returns just barely enough to cover one's wagers, players should be folding more often than playing through an entire game. Winning the entire pot, which does happen, is something worth staying in for if a player's hand has potential from the very beginning. Omaha, like its cousin, Texas Holdem, is a post-flop game for the most part. The pre-flop stage of the game can be a deciding factor on whether to fold as well, giving much merit, or the lack thereof, on a players starting hand. Therefore, most professional Omaha players advise to consider folding just as soon as the first cards are dealt. Hence the tips that follow concentrate primarily on when the proper time to fold is:

Tip #1 --------- Fold all Four of a Kinds, Three of a Kinds (3 thru King) and all unpaired middle cards

To some players it may sound quite foolish to throw away a four of a kind - But remember, in Omaha the player should always be playing for both jackpots - not just one. In the long run, winning just the high hand of the pot is not going to make a significant difference to one's bankroll. In fact, the losses in between, which will invariably happen, will quickly erase the small earnings that one half of an Omaha pot will produce. Having four of a kind guarantees a player will not qualify for the low hand pot, and should consequently be folded before putting more money into the pot.

Tip #2 --------- Play the following hands dealt from the beginning

Two Pairs, 10 thru Ace
Four differing Low Cards, 2 thru 5
Ace with three high cards of different suit, Jack thru King
Ace with any one card of the same suit
Ace with all low cards of varying suit, paired or unpaired
Ace with a 2 and any two other cards
Pair of Aces matching suit with one other card of any rank
Pair of Aces with all low cards or any suit
Triple Aces with low cards, 2 thru 5
Triple Deuces with an Ace

After the flop, the key to remember is that the entire pot, or scoop, should always be played for. Players should not settle for only one half of the pot, for winning it is not worth the potential losses that will occur on repeated occasions. If, after the flop, a player sees their hand leaning away from qualifying for the Lo side of the pot, it is never a better time to fold.

Click below for Specific Tips on these Popular Poker Games: