0/9 - Ciaffone Style

[dune]

In one of his books, Bob C. says he feels omaha h/l should be played nine or better and that aces should only count as high. For schnitz and giggles I'm going to introduce this in my next home game.

I'm having a tough time figuring out how to alter strategy and tactics though. Obviously aces go down in value. So what goes up?

I guess two way hands go down in value to such an extent that only one way hands should be played. Ok: A-A-2-3 is never a horrible hand.

Wheels should happen less often as people are less likely to stay in w/ 2-3-x-x or 2-4-x-x than they were w/ a-2-x-x or a-3-x-x. Thus high hands should be less scared of a low straight beating them.

On the other hand, anyone going for high most likely has four coordinated cards. So if a high straight is possible, it's probable. Yet a pair on board should mean less likely for a small full house as low pairs won't be played as often.

It should be much harder for someone to scoop. As such, low hands have to be much better than in regular 0/8. one reason because they don't have the backdoor high of the ace as a flush card or as a broadway card. also, high made hands can make it expensive to draw. so upfront, low hands(as they're drawing hands) should mostly be avoided.

hand ranking really comes down to the texture of the game. 2-3-5-7 would be crap utg. but if the first three in the pot limp in than i'd rather have that in back than a-k-j-9.

I would think reading people would be easier(or at least more interesting) in this format.

All IMHO.

Comments?

-Dune