Omaha Newbie...Help?

[aK13]

Well, I'm normally a limit Micro/Small Stakes Hold 'em player ($2/4 full ring is my regular game), and I was messing around with my friend in an Omaha (regular) game, and all I can say is that loose doesn't even begin to describe those .5/1 games. 7-8 players per flop is insane. Thus, it seems like these tables are quite profitable (and I'd also like to learn/improve in other poker variations), and I'd like to know if there are any good FAQ/getting started threads that I can read. I think even just knowing basic starting hands would be enough to crush this game.

Thanks.

EDIT: Also, I have no idea what the difference between 8, hi/lo, etc. is, so explanation of that would also be helpful.

[testaaja]

[ QUOTE ]
7-8 players per flop is insane. Thus, it seems like these tables are quite profitable (and I'd also like to learn/improve in other poker variations), and I'd like to know if there are any good FAQ/getting started threads that I can read. I think even just knowing basic starting hands would be enough to crush this game.

Thanks.

EDIT: Also, I have no idea what the difference between 8, hi/lo, etc. is, so explanation of that would also be helpful.

[/ QUOTE ]
This is what I've been thinking too. I would like to know also /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[slipoker]

I don't know where to really get you started, but I can tell you the difference between Omaha 8 or better, and Omaha Hi Lo. In 8 or better you simply play for the best high hand, same as hold em except you take four cards and choose two to make the best high hand. In Hi Lo Omaha the pot is split up between the best high hand and low hand on the river. To have a low hand there has to be 3 cards on the board lower then 8 and you must have 2 out of 4 pockets cards that are lower then 8. Besides that I just play, I seem to do alright at it, you just need to draw to the nuts on every hand and you'll do fine. I suppose reading some other stuff might help as well /images/graemlins/wink.gif... Good luck

[JoshuaMayes]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't know where to really get you started, but I can tell you the difference between Omaha 8 or better, and Omaha Hi Lo. In 8 or better you simply play for the best high hand, same as hold em except you take four cards and choose two to make the best high hand. In Hi Lo Omaha the pot is split up between the best high hand and low hand on the river. To have a low hand there has to be 3 cards on the board lower then 8 and you must have 2 out of 4 pockets cards that are lower then 8. Besides that I just play, I seem to do alright at it, you just need to draw to the nuts on every hand and you'll do fine. I suppose reading some other stuff might help as well /images/graemlins/wink.gif... Good luck

[/ QUOTE ]

Please disregard this misinformation. Omaha 8 and Omaha hi/low are the same game. Omaha high is like holdem with four cards. If you are interested in limit Omaha high, I can't help you. If you are interested in O8, I would recommend Ray Zee's book Hi/Low Split Poker for Advanced Players and Lou Krieger's book Winning O8. If you are interested in Pot-Limit Omaha High, check the forum with that title.

[Ironman]

If you see a post in this forum group it is usually O8, and Slip mentioned that you need to have 2 cards from your hand (and only two) that are used...so some percentage of the time, there is no low hand in play and a high will scoop the pot.

For our purposes, with casinos and internet play, O8 and Omaha Hi/Low are the same thing.

You will find Omaha (High Only) games from time to time but it is not frequently discussed with our group.

The first thing I would do is get a copy of Ray Zee's book on High Low Split Poker. It's the bible.

Go ahead...I'll wait while you buy the book....



Ok, just kidding about the waiting part.

Read these page. You will quickly learn who you trust with answers and who you won't.

Use the search function and find everything that was ever written by Buzz (there are many others by the way, some have expertise in pot limit and some have expertise in limit). The O8 section has only been around for about 6 months. You can find more posts in the archives under "other poker".

We are a friendly bunch. There are several recent threads that will direct you to the "newbie" info. (We should probably thumb tack that link at the beginning by the way guys for future new folk.)

Oh, and it's the best two cards in your hand for the high side AND the best two cards for the low side...and they can be different cards. We get that question a lot.

Good luck. Post hands. Ask questions.

Ironman Dave

[beernutz]

/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[ QUOTE ]
I don't know where to really get you started, but I can tell you the difference between Omaha 8 or better, and Omaha Hi Lo. In 8 or better you simply play for the best high hand, same as hold em except you take four cards and choose two to make the best high hand. In Hi Lo Omaha the pot is split up between the best high hand and low hand on the river. To have a low hand there has to be 3 cards on the board lower then 8 and you must have 2 out of 4 pockets cards that are lower then 8. Besides that I just play, I seem to do alright at it, you just need to draw to the nuts on every hand and you'll do fine. I suppose reading some other stuff might help as well /images/graemlins/wink.gif... Good luck

[/ QUOTE ]

[slipoker]

4 hours of sleep in 3 days, am I forgiven? /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[KJ o]

I seem to have read that there used to be high/low games without the 8 qualifier, meanin that the pot was always split.

These games are not available online, but there is always the risk that someone should tumble into these live.

[JoshuaMayes]

[ QUOTE ]
I seem to have read that there used to be high/low games without the 8 qualifier, meanin that the pot was always split.

These games are not available online, but there is always the risk that someone should tumble into these live.

[/ QUOTE ]
I have played 7 stud hi/low without a qualifier, never Omaha hi/low, but you are probably right. In any event, nowadays Omaha hi/low is only played 8 or better in casinos and online as far as I know.

[Ironman]

Yes...I thought I went easy on you. Just imagine what the response would have been if you posted this in the zoo. /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Dave

[beernutz]

[ QUOTE ]
4 hours of sleep in 3 days, am I forgiven? /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Forgiven and quite likely a bit loopy if that is true.

As Dave Attell says, "GET SOME SLEEP!"