| Omaha Hi is a game where it is always advisable
to have a backup hand. For example, if you flop trips with
nothing else, you have a FAR weaker hand than you do if you
flop the flush draw also. It is this difference that goes unnoticed
amongst weaker players. |
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| You end up with backup on the flop by playing
the right starting hands. |
| For example, if you play mostly cards that
are double suited, when you make 2 pair, a straight etc you
are much more likely to make a flush draw with it. |
| If you play 4 high cards and flop a straight,
you are much more likely to be able to make a higher straight
with the turn card since you have 2 more connecting cards helping
you. |
| When you have the flush draw as backup it
means three things. |
| 1 - If your high hand is not the best high
hand out there, you will often have a chance to still win the
pot and outdraw the hand of your opponent. |
| 2 - In the great situation where you have
the nuts and your opponent does on the flop but you have the
flush draw also, you can now win a very big pot from him by
getting as much money with him in the pot early on and then
if any flush comes you will win the lot. This is known as a “freeroll” situation
as you cannot lose this pot and can only win half or the lot. |
| 3 - It means that if you have the best high
hand and your opponent is drawing to a flush, that he has 2
less cards to hit to make the flush. E.G. if he has 2 clubs,
and there are 2 clubs on the board AND you hold 2 clubs, that
means he only has 7 clubs left in the pack to hit. As one of
those 7 makes you a full house, he only has 6 cards out of
a possible 45 to hit meaning that his odds of now outdrawing
you are around 7-1 only! |
| Summary |
| When you have a strong hand
with backup, it is a green light situation. Without backup,
tread more cautiously. |
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