Best Omaha Hi Lo Starting Hands

Before sitting down at the online poker table, you need to know these best omaha starting hands.

The best starting hands in fixed limit Omaha hi-lo poker are those with the potential to scoop both the high and low sides of the pot. Many novice players make basic selection errors with starting hands, which end up costing money over time. This article outlines the various types of starting hand in for limit Omaha hi-lo starting with the very best and going through to the marginal holdings. Remember, a solid starting hand strategy will keep your decisions on later streets simple and your poker profits flowing.

Fixed Limit Omaha Hi-Lo – Premium Starting Hands

The strongest starting hands of all in limit Omaha Hi-Lo include either a pair of aces with low suited cards or Ace-Two along with coordinated and suited accompanying cards. Double suited hands are desirable, though cards which can make non-nut flushes should be seen more as providing back-up than having inherent strength. A-A-x-x and A-2-3-x suited hands should be played strongly from any position before the flop.

Fixed Limit Omaha Hi-Lo – Very Strong Starting Hands

The next tier of starting hands includes those holdings with scoop potential which are not quite good enough to be considered as premiums. Aces without baby-card or suited backup fall into this category along with ace hands with 2 or 3 other cards below 6 with some support from suits. Ace-two hands with a high pair are also considered very strong. Again, these hands should be played positively before the flop.

Fixed Limit Omaha Hi-Lo – High Only Starting Hands

Many new players get into trouble by playing too many high-only starting hands – that is hands which have no chance of winning the low side of the pot. While high hands will scoop 30% of the time the circumstances need to be right to play them. Position on your opponents and few raises before the flop can make high-only hands profitable. The plan is to play only the best high-only hands and to exit cheaply after the flop where lows or low draws are possible.

Fixed Limit Omaha Hi-Lo – Non-Ace Low Starting Hands

While starting hands that contain aces have both high and low potential – some ‘suited baby’ low hand without an ace can be played under some circumstances. With these hands you are looking to flop an ace or a low straight. Since many opponents will play ace-small starting hands the ability to release your non-nut low after the flop is key. Again late position and an unraised pot before the flop make these hands more profitable.

Fixed Limit Omaha Hi-Lo – Marginal Starting Hands

Unsuited ace-small hands with 2 medium cards may look like they have potential, but are more likely to see you losing a big pot than winning one. Fixed Limit Omaha hi-lo is a game of draws and re-draws, starting with coordinated hands with scoop potential will see you profit over time. Conversely, playing hands with one-way potential that can easily be outdrawn by opponents playing solid values us a fast way to go broke!