Buzzworthy?

Here is an Omaha 8 hand I played. 15-30. Blinds 10-15. I will post my comments after.


5 players call. I am in the small blind with 4d5s5d6h. I call. Big Blind checks.


Flop comes 9h 5c 4h.


I bet.....only one folds.


Turn..... Ks


I bet...all call.


River.....Kc.


I bet...Next guy raises. All fold. I call.

I called and the player showed a king with the Ace kicker and I took the pot. I was rather surprised to have won.


I am fairly inexperienced in Omaha, I understand the fundamentals but my lack of experience makes some situations difficult for me.


The question is: should I bet the flop, check-call, or check-raise.


I really think check-folding is out of the question considering the board is not three lowed and thus I have a chance to scoop.


One problem I have is that a 9 may kill me and there are only three fours left, since I have one in my hand. Also there is a two low, two flush, and straight cards there, so I certainly cannot be a favorite against the field.


In retrospect, I think I need to check-raise and attempt to clear the field. There are two risks I have here, giving a free card and having a early player bet, making clearing the field impossible. However, I may not have enough equity unless I check-raise and clear some of the field.


On the turn the bet is routine, I believe.


On the river, I really considered checking. However, I figured I held most of the full house cards, the only hand that really worried me was a K-9 combination. And against the particular player that raised (rather unaware) folding was out of the question.


Overall comments? How is my overall equity?

You'll probably get better responses if you put this in "other Poker Games" where Omaha8 players will look for hands.

"The question is: should I bet the flop, check-call, or check-raise. "

Bet the flop. You have middle set. you will not knock anyone out with a check raise. There are 2 low cards on board and your hand is vunerable.


"On the turn the bet is routine, I believe. "

True. But you are still vunerable. There are flush draws, low draws, and straight draws.


"On the river, I really considered checking. "

I would check-call. With 2 kings on board you do NOT have the nuts. This game is about drawing to the nuts. The other draws will fold and you don't lose much equity by check-calling.


-KeithO