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davstang · High Card Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1

I understand that starting hands in Omaha have different values than Holdem. Any good advice what combination of cards make good starting hands?

GripHoldOn · Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:23 pm Post subject:

In omaha, suited aces are pretty strong, as are long strings of connecting cards. Having AA in the hole is okay, but not particularly strong unless it hits a set. However, having high standards preflop is not a strategy I reccomend because even AAKK double suited will go down to 4 3 7 9 pretty frequently.

UrbanMeyer1 · Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:44 pm Post subject: Re:

TestifyToLove · Straight Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 108

AlexScottUK · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 2:42 pm Post subject:

Hand selection in Omaha follows the same principles as hand selection in other games. You're looking for a co-ordinated hand with high-cards or pairs, connected cards, and suited cards.

There's an article about hand selection on my website, www.alexdscott.co.uk , in the poker section - feedback is always appreciated.

xjellyfishx · Pair Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 40

The biggest mistake (holdem) players can make in a omaha ring game is playing too many hands! because you get 4 cards, you may be tempted to play every double suited cards or connectors and you get. just remember omaha is a game the nuts... the best hand on the flop usually doesnt win unless its a strong full house. Secondly know your outs! know how many cards are in the deck to make your open ended straights and flush draws, be looking for your redraw opportunities as well because they can be a statistical favorite over any hand your opponent may be holding.

packattack · Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 10:20 am Post subject:

Developing a good sense of starting hands is important in Omaha, because if you're playing middle suited connectors like you would in Hold'em, then you're probably going to lose a lot of money, because you usually need the nut flush (or straight) to win in Omaha.

A good general guideline is to play AAxx-JJxx, high connecting cards, something like JT76 double suited, AK77 on up.

You should be playing tighter in Omaha, than you would be in Hold'Em.

AlexScottUK · Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 4:56 pm Post subject: Re:

TestifyToLove · Straight Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 108

I just got T.J. Cloutier's & Tom McEvoy's book Championship Omaha. I am currently reading through the book and highlighting as I go. I tend to be better at Omaha than any other game, so I am trying to focus on it. I figured I'd throw up a few quotes from stuff I've read thus far about starting hands and playing tight.

You should always start with four related cards that work together in some way. On the flop you should have either best hand possible or a draw to it in order to continue with the hand. You should only be drawing to the nuts.

This concept is important in ring games and is really important in tournaments: If you have a drawing hand, you should have a backup to your draw.

Pot-limit Omaha is the only game ever devised in which you can flop the nuts and have to throw it away on the flop! Suppose you flop the nut straight and you get action on it. If there are two suited cards out there and you get more than one way action on the hand, it means that someone probably has a set and someone else most likely has a nut-flush draw --- you're a dog in this hand.

I won't play a dangler hand like K-Q-J-2, even if the king happens to be suited, because you never have the nut flush draw with it. The times you might consider playing a three-card hand usually are in unraised pots, late position (on or next to the button), and when three of your cards are fairly strong. You virtually never play one from up front unless you happen to be in the big or small blind.

In computer rankings of Omaha high hands, where your percentage of wins with one particular hand is computed against that of other hands, A-A-K-K double-suited ranks as the best possible starting hand. I thoroughly disagree with the computer on that one.
I think the best possible hand you can start with in Omaha high is A-A-J-10 double suited. Obviously you can make more straights with this hand than you can with A-A-K-K double-suited.
If the flop comes with a K-Q, you have a wraparound straight draw and an overpair. If it comes 7-8-9, you have the nuts with the J-10. If it comes with an 8-9, you have a great top-wrap with the aces also working. In fact, every straight that you can make with the J-10 and the two aces are nut hands. And you still have the possibility of making the nut flush in either of your suits.

Just a few things I've read that I thought would add to this post. It's a great read so far. Definitely would recommend it to anyone interested in the game. Smile

rebelkillaz · Pair Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 33 Location: Compton, CA

Ill lay aces down preflop in any form of poker whether it is Omaha or Hold'em. That's how disciplined I am.

xjellyfishx · Pair Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 40

And you're bragging about it? Disciplined is not the word for you. Folding aces preflop is just plain stupid.

TestifyToLove · Straight Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 108

GTKID · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2005 3:25 pm Post subject:

Folding them preflop is pretty weak though, especially with the opportunity to reraise and get most to all your money in. The spot you don't want to be in is when you get about 1/5 in and then have to take a flop that could easily hit their hand.

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

Also, he said he'd fold aces preflop in hold 'em, which IS really dumb, barring some rare tournament scenarios. There's actually a thread about this.

GTKID · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2005 4:10 pm Post subject: Re:

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