I don't know who invented high-low poker, but I suspect it was someone who got tired of being dealt all those low cards that fail to make a hand.
The first poker game I played for cash happens to be five card lowball with a joker. Before Texas Hold'em came along, that was the game serious poker players in Gardena, Lake Elsinore, CA., Las Vegas and elsewhere played.
I became interested in high-low poker after moving to Las Vegas in the 1990s. The Union Plr ehaza Casino in downtown Las Vegas was just a blocvk away from Binion's Horseshoe where I had a room. The Plaza spread an Omaha High-Low game that fit my budget. I decided to learn to play it.
Well, the strategy for playing Omaha High-Low is diametrically different from Texas Hold'em. You don't play nearly as many hands (although some do to the consternation of their bankrolls).
With any high-low split game, you need to play fewer hands and concentrating on scooping the pot.
Solid players start with decent starting hands according to their position. If they are in the 'steal' position, you should expect them to do just that -- if they are a good player.
Remember to hold solid cards when you are out of position. When you are in steal position, meaning late around the table, act accordingly.
Be aware when a weak player enters the game. You can take advantage of such players by the way you raise and betyour hands. A weak player who plays Hold'em, for example, will tend to play high cards that don't go both ways. While a hand like this occasionally will work, don't do it regularly.
When I am playing seven-card stud high-low, I have a paint rule that I nearly always follow. If I start out low and catch a paint on fourth street, I almost always fold. The only way you would see another card is if you started with three suited cards and catch a fourth suited although high card on fourth street.
Also remember that a pair of sixes with a deuce is far better than a pair of deuces ith a six.
If you have wired triplets, eight or higher, you want to leave a lot of people come into the pot.
Don't play three low cards that are not connected very often. I am talking about seven-three-deuce or heaven forbid, eight-three-deuce.
If you are in a raised pot with a mediocre hand, fold.
Know what cards will improve your hand to a low straight or flush. If too many of those cards are out, don't invest any more of your money in the pot. It's too risky.
Always have a good escape route in a raised pot. You should be super-strong in one direction or another in order to continue.
If the battle is between you and one other player, ask yourself whivch of you has a hand that can scoop? Ifi it isn't you, think seriously before calling the other player's bet.
No tool is greater than experience. Practice playing The worst feeling and the biggest disaster in a high-low game is to be scooped.
Play aces with small cards strong -- especially if your hand is suited.
Finally, it might be a good idea for your to learn to play a solid high-low game. Texas Hold'em can become boring and it's always good to refresh your brain with a more challenging game.
Do not slow-play good hands in hopes of trapping the other players. That will often get you into more trouble than it's worth. Of course, a two-three-four of hearts might be good to slowplay in hopes of bringing in other players that will not have much of a chance if you catch good.
While I like ace, two, three, preferabbly with the ace in the hole, I don't go crazy over the hand until I see what I catch on fourth and fifth streets.
Keep a clear head in a high-low game. If you play your cards tight and well, you should be miles ahead of the game.
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 ).
