Tactics for Omaha Hi Lo

If you have been playing No Limit Holdem for a while, shifting to Omaha can be quite difficult considering the radical change strategies required. Therefore, you should know the right Omaha Hi Lo tactics before playing for money.

The complexity of the game means there is no general agreement as to which is the best Omaha Hi Lo strategy. However, as a rule, you should always play hands that have a pair of Aces, particularly if they are in conjunction with low numbers or suited face cards.

If you have an A2 together with a suited pair, either in your hands or on the flop, then chances are good you have a shot at the low or both high and low, depending on the other cards on the board.

Unlike in Limit Holdem or No Limit, your Omaha Hi Lo strategy should always be to go for the nuts. Some new players may be willing to play with a weak hand, simply because they will be satisfied with winning half the pot. But the fact is that there is a huge disparity with settling for half the pot compared with scooping the whole thing.

Settling for half the pot is a very poor Omaha Hi Lo strategy, because by the time everyone is through with the call and raises, the amount you can win will be very small. The rule in Omaha is always go for the full win; if your hand is only decent for a low or high, and the pot is not that big, then you should just fold and wait for a better hand.

Others however, prefer to wait at least for the turn before folding, and this is something that you can do as well. Of course, this all depends on the amount being bet, and how much you are willing to risk with your Omaha Hi Lo hand.

Your Omaha Hi Lo tactics should also include paying attention to the hands being played. Starting hands comprised of middle value numbers like 5-8, and three of a kind, be it numbers or face cards are weak. Good hands include Aces (as long as they are not in quads) combined with twos or threes.

Of course, you should also heed the way the other players on the table are playing. Often they will give "tells" and will allow you to make the right decisions. If a player can give you a hint of what kind of hand he has, then that can be a great advantage in Omaha Hi Lo.

A great deal more can be learned about Omaha Hi Lo strategies via books and web sites. By having the patience to go over and try these techniques, you will increase your skills.