Raising pre-flop is an important part of winning at poker, but it works only in certain games like Texas Hold'em or draw.
You are dealt pocket aces or kings, so you raise to build the pot and to thin out the players. This makes good sense and should be part of your strategy.
But a game like Omaha High-Low is different. While raising may work on occasion, you should not do it on a regular basis. Even a perfect hand like A-A-2-3 double suited will win only 30 percent of the time. Yet I have seen many players raise with such a hand, miss the flop, and continue playing against someone who made the nut flop. That is poor poker and it will diminish your bankroll as it has mine on past occasions.
No, if you have a perfect hand in Omaha High-Low, I think it is far better to simply call the best and leave the raising to others. For one thing, this disguises the power of your hand and when you get a good flop, you can use this to your advantage since the other players will not know what you are holding.
Veteran Omaha High-Low players develop an uncanny way of reading their opposition. When you raise, they pretty much know what you are holding. If an ace or low cards fall and you come out betting, unless they made a miracle flop they will probably fold.
If you are an aggressive player, who insists on raising, do it differently. Wait until you are in position and there are several callers. You find yourself with K-K-Q-Q. That would be a good time to raise since the other players will put you on low cards. Since many low cards are out, the chances are good that you will hit one of your pairs on the flop. Or you could flop an open-ended straight draw with high cards and still find yourself in the driver's seat if one of your foes comes out betting.
I believe Omaha High-Low is a fairly easy game to win at -- but only if you use good strategy in the hands you play. In a low limit game, you will probably find yourself playing against Hold'em players who have not yet learned how to play for the scoop. They play with high cards and will even call raises with them. This is the worst kind of play in Omaha High-Low and it can work to your advantage.
Now if there are only two or three callers and you find yourself on the button with pocket aces and two low cards, a raise is a good play and will probably win you the pot. It will mix up your game and will help you dominate the other players, which is what good poker is all about.
The next time you find yourself playing Omaha High-Low, try using the no-raise strategy. If you have been a raiser in the past, it should work for you and will confuse your opponents. I am heading for Talking Stick tonight and plan to use this strategy. Wish me luck.
Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.
(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).
