Omaha High/Low:

THE GREAT COMMUNICATOR

BY: Russ Fox

"I've always stated that the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth is a government program." -- Ronald Reagan

The passing of Ronald Reagan gave many of us time to reflect on a life well lived. I voted for the first time in 1980 and remember well how he enthused the country in a can-do spirit. Always the optimist, his political accomplishments will go down in the history books. Actor, Governor of California, President of the United States, and victor in the Cold War - that would look good on any resume.

I mentioned optimist in the first paragraph and I'd like to dwell on that for a few moments (as we return to poker). There is optimism from knowing that you are the favorite. There's also optimism from believing that the card you need will show up on the river. Frankly, I prefer being the mathematical favorite, especially in Omaha.

As I've mentioned from time to time, Omaha is a game where you need to dwell on the math. Let's look at a hand that came up the other day. I was dealt a real ugly hand in early position - 8 8 8 Q . Needless to say, I quickly folded. Paul the prop called (I caught a glimpse of his hand -- A 2 7 8 -- not a bad hand at all. Four other players (including both blinds) called.

The flop was pretty good for Paul: 4 5 K. Paul flopped the nut flush draw, the nut low draw, and an inside straight draw. The betting, though, was somewhat of a surprise. The small blind bet, the big blind raised, Paul called, the next player folded, the button raise, and the small blind capped the betting. Paul called, of course, and I began to think about what the other hands were. Presumably there was a set or two and at least another nut low out against Paul. I could tell that Paul was thinking the same thing. I should point out that the other players were somewhat of a mystery to me.

The turn was the 6 . Paul now had the nut low and the nut high (an eight-high straight). The small blind bet, the big blind raised, Paul raised, and the button capped the betting. I began to think that there were three other A2's out against Paul.

The river was the Q, a card that didn't change a thing. Paul still had nut-nut. The betting, also, remained the same. I am not making this up! Paul had the only high, while everyone had an A2 to split the low four ways. Paul ended up with 62.5% of a very large pot, while the other players (who weren't using all their senses) each ended up with 12.5% of the pot.

We've been blessed with several different senses. When you're playing poker, it behooves you to use most of them. Look at your cards and evaluate them (especially in reference to what you think your opponents have). Listen to what your opponents say at the table - I've heard opponents yell an expletive when a particularly ugly card comes on the Board. If you're paying attention you'll have an advantage over many players who only think about their own hands.

Take the example hand. One player held K K A 2 . He flopped top set and the nut low draw. But when four players see the turn, and everyone bets (or raises) when the board makes a flush possible, it's starting to get ugly. Sure, you have to stay for river to see if the Board pairs, but I wouldn't bet or raise with the hand. When the river doesn't change anything it's definitely time to slow down.

You'll be amazed at how many players play with blinders. They see their hands and ignore everything else at the table. These are the players you want in your game. It's much, much easier to make money from players who don't think (or don't think a lot) than from players who make moves.

Ronald Reagan may or may not have played poker; however, he took a pair of fives against the Soviet Union's pair of deuces and accurately read the hands. He used his senses - you should do the same. After all, wouldn't you rather win money playing poker than lose?

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