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clussman · Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 1:21 am Post subject: 7,8,9,9 Rainbow

I just started playing HORSE and I'm having trouble picking my starting hands in Omaha, which is actually turning out to be the strongest part of my HORSE game. Beginners luck I guess...

I played the hand (7,8,9,9 rainbow) because it didn't seem too bad. Could draw to a set or a straight, but considered folding because it's the low end of hi and the high end of lo. Is this a playable starting hand?

OpDS311 · Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 1:26 am Post subject:

I would have to say no, for the reasons you stated. If you get a low, it is a pretty crappy one, and you basically can only win the high pot. I think playing this hand unsuited can however get you into less trouble because if you hit a flush, it is a fairly low one, and you always have to be wary of a higher flush in omaha.

To answer your question simply, I would save this hand for omaha hi.

jbrennen · Straight Flush Joined: 16 Aug 2005 Posts: 422

Yeah, I'd probably pass on this hand.

You can't ever make the low nuts with this hand; you'd rarely win low at all with this hand.

On the high side, you're basically playing for a full house, and this hand is no better than any other hand with a middle pair. Yeah, you could make a straight, but it's very likely to either be the "idiot end" of the straight, or if it's the nut straight, you'll be likely to split the pot with a low hand.

So you've got a pair and a weak straight draw.

What flop are you hoping for with this hand? That's always worth asking. And if that flop hits, how likely are you to get action?

clussman · Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 1:35 pm Post subject:

Good questions. I'm usually looking for something that can improve a lot of different ways. I like when I'm split two suited with an ace, two face cards, and a low card, but that doesn't happen every hand. Smile

In Omaha two pair sucks. Three of a kind isn't usually good enough either. A straight seems to be an average winning hand. Flushes are common though and full houses happen a lot more than in other games, which means I was playing a hand that had a chance of developing into an average hand with a small chance of becoming a full house. In both cases though, straight and boat, I'd be facing a good chance of someone drawing to a better straight or boat.

I think you're both right. I shouldn't have played the hand. I'll probably be posting more starting hands as I play more. This was one that just stuck in my head because I couldn't make a decision. I stared at it like an android in a cheesy sci-fi movie going "does not compute."

When in doubt, I tend to favor playing where most people would favor folding. I think I get more experience this way for two reasons: 1) I get more post-flop play, and 2) if I lose I'm more likely to remember the hand than if I folded it to begin with.

Kloaked Spirit · Royal Flush Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 869

Omaha Hi/Lo - Don't touch it. Ever.

Omaha Hi - You can see a cheap flop with this from late position. You would've wanted at least some suits for protection though.

Jaconda78 · Message Board Junkie Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Posts: 4177

kenobi · Flush Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 127

The only postive about having your cards this low suited is that it takes away outs from someone chasing the flush if you happen to hit top set or the current nut straight.

Kloaked Spirit · Royal Flush Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 869

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