There is a tremendous difference of opinion on how to play pre-flop in Omaha Hi/Lo. One school of thought adheres to playing passively, while the other believes in playing your hand aggressively.

About the only thing these two groups can agree on is that you should play tight! I am a firm believer in playing aggressively; a starting hand only exists before the flop! In this article I’ll give you my play-list, along with any adjustment you’ll need to make based on your opponents actions.

All of the following recommendations are for a typical Omaha Hi/Lo game: 4-6 people seeing the flop, with most of them being pretty passive.

In early position:

A2xx: Fold hands such as A279, A28T

A3xx: +suited Ace, Unmatched wheel card, or 2 cards T-K

AAxx: +suited Ace and a wheel card, double suited, or 2 cards T-K

In middle position:

A2xx: Play any A2 from MP for 1 bet

A3xx: Fold hands such as A37T

A4xx: + suited Ace and a 5

AAxx: + a wheel card, a broadway card, or a suited Ace

23xx: + 2 cards 4-6, or a pair of Tens+

Any 4 cards Ten – Ace

KKxx: + double suited and 2 wheel cards

In late position:

A3xx: play any A3 for 1 bet from LP

A4xx: + a 5, 2 Broadway cards, or a suited Ace and a 6

23xx: +an unmatched wheel card

Low mixed bags: 2456, 2245, 2445, 2455, 3456

Any 4 cards 9-King

KKxx: + 2 wheel cards, or double suited

When the pot is raised by an A2+ player you should only be calling (or re-raising, I’ll save this for another article) with hands you would play in Early position. If a maniac has raised the pot you can still use your normal playlist, since your hand likely rates above theirs.

I’m sure you have heard that certain hands play better in multi-way pots, and other hands play better heads-up. Unfortunately, most people have no idea why this is the case.

Basically it boils down to one question: When I hit my hand on the flop will it be vulnerable to being outdrawn?

Take AQ, and 66 for example; AQ is a very strong starting hand, but for every player in the pot it’s value goes down. On the other hand, for every additional player in the pot 66 goes up in value. The reason is its big hand potential. AQ will flop a pair about 31% of the time, while 66 will flop a set only 12% of the time. On the surface it seems like AQ is a much stronger hand.

So why would AQ go down in value while 66 would go up? The answer is how strong your hand is when you hit it. Hitting top pair on the flop is pretty good, but you’re far from a lock to win the hand. However, when you flop a set you will win the pot quite often.

This is why a hand like AQs is much stronger than AQ; the added big hand potential (the flush) allows you to play this hand aggressively whether you are heads-up, or if 4 people are contesting the pot.

By itself AQ will flop a monster (2 pair or better) about 4% of the time. If you’re suited you will also flop the nut flush draw an additional 11% of the time. This added big hand potential makes all the difference in the world. Being suited only adds about 4% to your winning percentage, but that 4% will be a monster hand; and monster hands can be played in monster pots! With top pair on the flop you are very happy to take down the pot immediately, with the nut flush you welcome callers.

One of the biggest complaints I hear about online poker is that you cannot pick up tells on your opponents. While this is obviously true since there is a lot of information you miss by playing online; you also have certain advantages by playing online that live poker does not afford you.  Besides the obvious advantages of instant hand histories, the ability to multi-table, rakeback and bonuses, and the amount of easily accessible games; a savvy player also has the ability to increase his productivity through software add-ons.

Some poker software is free, but most of the quality programs will cost you a few dollars, but they are well worth the investment! An example of a free software program that every player should have downloaded on their computer is PokerStove; PokerStove allows players to create virtually any scenario and run millions of hand samples in seconds.  Ever wonder how often AA will beat 99? PokerStove has the answer. Ever wonder How TT fares against someone who could have 55+, AT+, or KQs? PokerStove can answer that question as well.

PokerStove will do little to improve your game while you’re playing, but it is an invaluable tool to use both before and after you play. For more information on PokerStove, and some of the companies other free downloads, check out their website http://pokerstove.com/

In part 2 of this series I will discuss a couple of the software programs you will have to shell out a few dollars for: PokerTracker and SharkScope.

When I say seat selection I’m not talking about window or aisle, or the most comfortable chair. I’m talking about where to sit down at a poker table based on your opponents styles of play. Seat selection isn’t the most critical thing in the world, but given the choice you should examine the pros and cons of each seat.

Most authorities argue for keeping the bad players to your left, and the good players right. In general, this is a pretty sound theory, especially if the bad player in question is aggressive. Having a loose aggressive player on your right allows you to isolate them by re-raising their raises; forcing anyone else who is thinking about playing to call 3 bets.

However, there are also strategic advantages if you have this same player on your left, especially if the table is full of a bunch of calling stations.  What you can do is limp into pots with really strong hands, and let the aggro raise for you. The calling stations will call with all sorts of hands, and then you can pop it when the action gets back to you!

This is even a better tactic on the flop when you hit a really strong hand; you can trap multiple players for multiple bets.

If you’re playing no-limit there are even more benfits; you’ll be able to win many pots uncontested by re-raising in this manner. Think about this scenario: You have KK and limp in, the aggro raises to 4x the blind, 2-3 other players call, and you pop it to 20-25x the blind. You’ll either get action, with dead money in the pot, when you have a really strong hand, or take down a very nice pot of around 15bb! Win, win situation.