Omaha High Low Strategy

If I were forced to sum up proper Omaha/8 strategy in a single sentence, it would be as follows. Omaha/8 is a game of scoops and having the best hand with possibilities to improve to an even better hand. Most of the profit you will make in the long run is going to come from the pots that you are able to scoop, either by winning both the high and low pots or those hands that don’t have a low possibility. For this reason, hands with Aces and low cards, especially when the Ace is suited to another card, are strong starting hands as well as hands with all high cards. Also it is very profitable to have not only the best hand after the flop, but one that can improve to an even better one. At the lower levels, where many players chase half the pot, this can lead to a great deal of profit.

Just like good Texas holdem players, the best Omaha/8 players only play around 25% of their starting hands. Good Omaha/8 players look for reasons not to play a hand instead of reasons to play a hand. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that with four starting cards instead of three that you can play more hands. Remember that everyone at the table has four cards also. In addition, all four cards should work together in some way. This can be closely grouped for straight possibilities, paired for full house possibilities, suited for flush possibilities and hands with an Ace and all low cards for low and straight possibilities. Hands that combine two or more of the above are even better. Here is a short list of starting hands. It is just a guideline and you will expand it as you gain experience and improve your game. What it will help you do while you are learning the game, is to only enter the pot with your best chances of winning.

AA23
A2xx (x’s represent any card)
A3xx with the Ace suited
A and any three low cards if the Ace is suited
4 high cards like KQJT or AKJT
Hands that have 2 pair
AAxx if at least one Ace is suited

As far as I’m concerned, the golden rule for Omaha/8 is never, never, never chase half the pot. What I mean is if you don’t have a made hand and are drawing to one, and you can only win half the pot, you should fold. A great example of this is when you have A2 with two low cards on the board. If your opponents are betting and raising it is time for you to fold unless you have a good chance to compete for the high half of the pot. Realize that even if you hit your low hand you may very well have to split it with one or both of the other players (often called getting quartered).