Tip #6: Straight Boards in Pot Limit Omaha

When playing pot limit Omaha, many newer players tend to get themselves involved into hands where they end up being 2nd best which, obviously, is not any good. This will generally stem from their starting hand selection and over valuing hands that seem extremely valuable, but actually should be played with caution if at all.

One of these common scenarios is when players play connected-unsuited starting hands or 1-gap connectors. For example, connected starting hands would look something like 7-8-9-10 while a 1-gap starting hand would look something like 5-6-8-9. Provided below are our tips on how to avoid many common pitfalls that players face with hands such as these and how a player should go about playing them.

Straight Boards in Omaha

Probably one of the biggest mistakes players make when choosing hands is just simply not being selective enough. Now, a starting hand such as 7-8-9-10 is solid, but it needs to be pointed out that this hand is much better being double suited as it will give ‘re-draws’ to potentially better hands.

For example, if you were to have 7d-8h-9s-10c and the flop is Jc-Qs-Ks then you have just caught the bottom end of a straight which is a good hand. However, the issue here is that it is very possible, if not likely, that an opponent has an A-10 for the nut straight. With a hand like this, you were simply drawing to second best all along.

On the other hand, if you were to start with 7-d-8d-9s-10s, then now you have a much better starting hand because it is double suited. This now allows you to ‘re-draw’ to a better hand like in this case, a straight flush or K high flush. Making sure your 4 consecutive hole cards are suited or double suited will provide you with other outs in attempt to keep you from having to be only ’2nd best.’

Another big mistake that is commonly made is over-playing gapped connecting hole cards such as 5-6-8-9. This hand is definitely playable if it is double suited; however, it is not nearly as valuable as say 5-6-7-8 or 6-7-8-9. The reason for this is that one missing card can easily open the door to a higher hand.

For example, if you have 5-6-8-9 against your opponent’s 6-7-8-9 then your hand is extremely vulnerable. The reason being is that if a flop brings 6-8-10, that gap that you have simply will not help. But it helped your opponent. You have a two pair, but only four cards can make your hand better than your opponent’s.

Something else to keep in mind with gapped starting hands is that you may have the same nut straight as your opponent, but if another card comes on the turn or river that allows your opponent to play a card in his starting hand that you do not have for a higher hand, you again just became 2nd best.

Playing Straight Boards in Omaha – Final Words

When playing pot limit Omaha it is really important to realize that not all hole cards are created equal. What we mean by that is, is that hands such as 6c-7h-8d-9s is ok but not nearly as valuable as the same hand but double suited such as 6h-7h-8c-9c. Additionally, any 4 connectors will be much more valuable then connectors with a gap in it such as 6-7-8-9 vs. 5-7-8-9. Once a player realizes these points, they can go about trying to avoid the common pitfalls associated with these types of hands and work on having the best hand as opposed to coming up short and only being 2nd best.

Tip #5: Paired Boards in Pot Limit Omaha

One of the most important things a poker player can learn how to do is learn how to properly analyze a board in relation to how it may have helped them, and more importantly, how it may have helped their opponent. This is especially true in pot limit Omaha considering the fact that there are more potential hands possible with 4 starting cards.

A common situation in pot limit Omaha that a player faces which requires careful analyzing is paired boards. This is because paired boards can result in much stronger hands such as sets, full houses and four of a kind. Players need to understand how to properly play these types of flops so that they keep their losses to a minimum while still trying to exploit their opponent’s tendencies to maximize their profits.

With that in mind, we would like to present you with some tips on how to properly play paired boards in pot limit Omaha.

Omaha Hi-Lo adaptations

If you are playing Omaha Hi-Lo, paired boards have similar meaning, and you should be aware that these flops will decrease the chances of a l

High-Paired Boards

High-paired boards in poker are boards that will consist of cards such as A-A-x, K-K-x and so forth.

What is important to consider when playing boards like these are that cards such as Aces, Kings, Queens and Jacks are a staple in solid starting hands so players are more likely to have these cards and catch flops such as these. In the scenario that you have missed the flop, it would be a good idea to tread lightly and check-call or check-fold depending on what other draws you may have and what you may think your opponent has. It is very important to consider the idea of a full house and that your flush or straight draws may be no good and in this case, it may be best to minimize your losses and fold to any bets.

Now, where most players tend to get into trouble is when they choose poor starting hands and catch flops such as these. For example, if you were to start with A-K-J-10 and your opponent had A-2-7-9 with a flop such as A-A-8, you have your opponent dominated with only two cards to come. Of course, they still can catch a 2, 7 or 9, but if they do on the turn you still have 9 outs yourself to beat them.

The bottom line is, when facing a high-paired board you will want to definitely get out of the way if you missed and by starting with solid starting hands you are ensuring that when you do hit, you will often be in the lead.

Low Paired Boards

Low paired boards are going to be the complete opposite and will look something similar to 2-2-X, 4-4-X or similar. These can be tricky to play or profitable depending on your opponent.

The tricky part to boards such as these is that if you are a solid player, chances are slim that you would have caught a piece of this. If your opponent is rather loose, then it is possible they did and you are beat and should fold.

On the other hand, if your opponent is rather solid as well, there is a good possible that he or she missed the flop. In this situation, it may be best to bet on position or check-raise your opponent in an attempt to steal. There is a very good chance you can take the pot down with little resistance.

Paired Boards in Pot Limit Omaha – Final Words

When playing paired boards in pot limit Omaha it really comes down to how well you know your opponent so that you can exploit them to either minimize your losses or maximize your wins. By knowing your opponent, you have made any decisions that you need to make that much easier.