Omaha Hi Lo: Sequence Betting
Smart and effective betting in Omaha Hi Lo is extremely important to your success. Your chip stack will decrease dramatically if you do not bet right. There is a lot of strategy that goes into betting post-flop. Don’t get me wrong, pre-flop betting is important but how you bet post-flop will determine your success as an Omaha Hi Lo player.
Any Omaha Hi Lo player knows that you should not even be in on the flop if you do not have a decent high hand. Playing just to win a potential low hand will only cause you to lose you stack more quickly. Potential low hands that are not accompanied by a decent high hand are useless in the game of Omaha Hi Lo.
Post Flop Betting
Two things can happen to your hand after the flop: it gets stronger or weaker. This is the second easiest decision you have to make because the next two cards only make things more difficult. If you hand was not improved then the only thing to do is fold. Do not make the mistake of limping in hands that are only bound to get weaker. If you have made a hand, which includes hands like a full house, flush or straight, then you definitely need to bet or call a bet. Hands that need one more card to make a hand are dangerous but can be played. If you need more than one card to make a hand then you should fold for sure.
Betting Outs
Outs are an important aspect in Omaha Hi Lo. An out is a card that is needed to make a hand. If you have multiple cards that can make your hand then you have multiple outs. A hand with a lot of outs is valuable because there are various cards that can make it a winning hand. Hands that only have one or two outs should be folded post-flop. There is very little chance that the one card you need will hit the board after two more cards are revealed.
Betting Low Hands
Like mentioned previously, low hands should only be bet if you have a high hand to accompany it. The only way a low hand should be bet is if it is the strongest low hand. If you have an A-2 or A-3 you can bet but be sure you are betting with caution.
Betting the Turn
This is when you need to step on the gas or step on the brakes in regards to betting. If your hand as not gotten significantly stronger it is suggested that you cut your losses and fold. Be aware that others may have hit the cards they were looking for and now have a really strong hand. The most important thing is to play with confidence and caution at the same time.
Betting the River
Did you hit your hand? If you hit it then you must bet. Bet confident, but not too strong if you want your opponent to call. It’s all about how you feel and how you think your opponent will react. Never check on the flop because this makes your hand look weak in your opponent’s eyes.