Omaha Hi/Lo Tips

Omaha Hi-Lo Poker is a hugely popular fixed limit poker format - both live and at online poker sites. Many players new to this form of the game make strategy errors which cost a large amount of money over time. This article introduces a solid strategy for Fixed limit Omaha hi-lo by outlining 5 ways in which you can improve your game - and your profits.

Winning Fixed Limit Omaha Hi-Lo Strategy #1 - Start With Scoop Potential

One of the biggest errors novice players make in Fixed Limit Omaha Hi-Lo is to draw to only half of the pot. Every starting hand should have the potential to win both the high and the low sides of the pot - that is to 'scoop'.

Winning Fixed Limit Omaha Hi-Lo Strategy #2 - Three-Quarter Your Opponents!

Getting 'Quartered' is a common situation in Omaha Hi-Lo Poker, this happens when you share half of the pot (usually the low side) at the same time as an opponent wins the high side. Effectively your return can be as little as 25c for every $1 you bet. Three-quartering is the opposite - this happens when you win the high part of the pot as well as half of the low side from an opponent. Again starting hands with scoop potential make this far more likely.

Winning Fixed Limit Omaha Hi-Lo Strategy #3 - Play Coordinated Starting Hands.

Starting hands which have scoop or three-quarter potential in Omaha Hi-Lo are usually coordinated. That is to say that the cards work well together to give you the maximum opportunity to hit the flop. Suited aces along with small cards for the low are ideal, extra small cards to stop your low being counterfeited are also useful. Ensuring that you have the largest possible number of 2-card combinations in your 4-card starting hand will maximize your chances of making a profit.

Winning Fixed Limit Omaha Hi-Lo Strategy #4 - Make Sure You Act Last

Position is an important factor in all forms of poker - and even more so in fixed limit Omaha hi-lo poker games. Acting after your opponents allows you to both win more chips when ahead and get out of the pot cheaply when opponent's betting shows you that you are likely to be behind. This may also allow you to steal pots where your opponents show weakness by checking and the flop texture is unlikely to have hit their hands.

Winning Fixed Limit Omaha Hi-Lo Strategy #5 - Cut Down On Pure Bluffs

Players used to Texas Holdem will find that bluffing with air in fixed Limit Omaha Hi-Lo is less effective than they are used to. This occurs because there are many more draws available with the split pot combined with 4 hole-cards. While pure bluffs are less effective, this should not stop you from semi-bluffing when you hold nut draws. This will increase the size of the pot for those times you do hit - and may enable you to steal the pot on the turn when a 'safe' card hits.