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Part III: Limit Omaha (1)

In the first two parts of this series, we took a look at a few limit hold'em starting hands (more specifically, the kind of hands that often cause the average player trouble) and we discussed what to look for in your hand when playing pot-limit Omaha, the big money game in Europe. (It pleases me to see that also in the U.S. a very slow, but steady growth in PLO live games can be seen- it is not just that more PLO live games are being offered on a regular basis, but also the stakes played for seem to be a bit higher than before. That said, looking at it from the big picture it is all still very marginal and nothing compared to Europe, where almost all top professionals prefer this game over any, even very high, limit game). Today we will take a look at the same Omaha starting hands, to see if there are differences between limit and pot-limit in whether, and how, they can or should be played. Note that we are discussing limit Omaha, high only- for Omaha hi-lo (eight or better) totally different comments would apply.

Hand # 1: Ah Kc Qd Js

Analysis
Even though this is of course a good hand, it is not nearly as strong as AK in hold'em, for example. (Note that a lot of hold'em players might think this hand is even better than ace-king in hold'em). I wouldn't play it for all my money in pot-limit Omaha, and I'm not really fond of this hand in limit either. The problem here is that in limit Omaha, it is almost impossible to defend your hand, because of the very good odds your opponents get in trying to draw out on you. Because a lot of callers can be expected in this game (in fact, it is common to have three, four or even five players see the river card), you will almost always need a big hand to win. It's rare for two pair to win a big pot for example, and with this hand, top two pair will be your most likely river hand. (Even though two pair is not often good enough to win the pot, with this hand it is actually more likely than with any other. Let's say the flop comes AQ8 rainbow, giving you top two. If you get, say three callers, you know that any nine, jack or king will cripple your hand. However, there are quite a few "safe" cards here, and when two small cards come on the turn or river, not creating a backdoor flush, your top two is quite likely to be good. The fact that you are playing the top cards in the deck, has given you more protection against drawouts than is usually the case in limit Omaha). The problem is your hand has no suits, and you have to be very lucky to get a rainbow flop like in our example. Even then, if a flush (any flush) gets back-doored, it is quite likely to be out there, and therefore it is recommended to play big suited cards yourself- so you can be the lucky one by catching runner-runner flush. Before the flop, I prefer a call over a raise with this AKQJ, unless you can knock everybody out and play against the blinds only- which is highly unlikely. Because you hold a quality hand, you can, if the flop comes favorable, make money from second-best hands (weaker pairs, weaker draws) who might have folded against a raise. Also, because the pot is still relatively small (i.e. no raises) you will be better positioned to defend your, probably vulnerable, hand on the flop.

Hand # 2: Js Th 9s 8h

Analysis
Even though this is still a very strong hand, you have to be very careful here. Higher flush draws cannot be bet off their hands anymore, and even backdoor flushes may cause your straight (draw) some serious problems. In pot-limit, when you flop something like 87x with two hearts or spades, you have a HUGE hand, a hand you should be willing to back your entire stack with. In limit, you are likely to get at least three callers who will stay with you until the river. In addition to someone with a set or two pair, there will probably be someone with a higher flush draw and there will be a couple of straight draws out there, so that even if you make your hand you might have to split.

Hand # 3: Js Jc 6d 2h

Analysis
While I stated that this isn't a very good pot-limit hand, it isn't a good limit hand either. Strictly on the button, in special cases, and for one bet only. However, if you flop a jack, you can almost always go to the river no matter how scary the board might look. That is: even if there's a possible straight or flush on the board, you will usually get the right odds to go all the way to the river, and you might even semi-bluff your opponents out of the pot, by making them lay down a small straight or a weak flush.

Hand # 4: 9h 8s 7h 6d

Analysis
In part II of this series, I discussed the merits of this hand in pot-limit Omaha. In pot-limit, I am willing to invest a substantial portion of my stack with this hand if the conditions are right. In limit, I often don't even call the initial bet with it. The problem with this hand is that in limit Omaha, you are going to be up against higher straight and flush draws and you cannot bet either of them out of the pot, like you can in pot-limit. That said, in late position I still play and occasionally raise with the hand- and I suggest you do too. Against a raise (indicating big cards / high pairs), this hand is not nearly as strong as in pot-limit however, because you cannot put pressure on your opponent when he seems to have received no help from the flop. He will simply call you down all the way, and you will have to show your miserable holding or, if you make your baby two pair to beat his aces you might still not win the pot if there's a third player in the pot who has both of you beat.

Some final words.

In limit Omaha, it is important to keep in mind that hand values run close. What this means in practice, is that you will need to hit the flop pretty well to continue playing. It is for this reason that good Omaha players prefer hands that "may not hit the flop very often, but if they do might make you a lot of money" over hands that look tempting, hit something on almost any flop, but are long-term losers (hands like Ks Js 8h 6h fit into this category). In the next issue, I will discuss four more limit Omaha hands, what they're worth and how they can, or should, be played most of the time. Take care, you guys, and good luck.

What to look for in starting hands: Limit Omaha
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