The Way Open-Ender

Now that I have about eight months of Omaha under my belt, I’m re-reading Hwang. It makes sense that I would pick up some of the subtler points this time around. I can also say with some generalized confidence that much about the game is missing in his book, which, if and when I give it a third read, I will be better able to address here. For now, I still have to get all of the main points down pat, the primary one being that Omaha is a game of draws, specifically straights and flushes, but mostly straights, and learn how to respond accordingly in the betting.

Yes, I know that I am stating the obvious, yet, now into the second reading, I am able to do more than just try to memorize and follow his basic guidelines to a successful game. I am able to watch the game and recognize exactly what he writes about.

I have recently moved my game to FTP. They offered a bonus with no deposit if one just uploaded the updated software. Too good to be true? Probably. Especially when one considers that my roll is pretty damn small and to accumulate the FPP points needed to see much of that bonus while playing the .01/.02 games means that I would have to multi-table a lot more than just the two I can handle. Still, the move has afforded me a whole new cast of players from the regulars I have come to know at Stars.

Just as at Stars, there are regulars at FTP (more of the obvious). Who they are became apparent after the second day, and they are, of course, the players one goes up against with caution.

One such player sat to my left last night. Having been stacked by him once already this week, I was not pleased with his position. Yet, any excuse to tighten up is probably good for me as I prefer to see no more than 28% of the flops in PLO, yet often find myself edging towards 36%. I do not remember what percentage I was playing at before he sat down, nor after. I do know that I was taking quite a few small pots.

Full Tilt Pot-Limit Omaha, $0.02 BB (9 handed) - Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

UTG+1 ($0.88)
MP1 ($7.74)
MP2 ($1.99)
MP3 ($0.48)
CO ($0.74)
Button ($1.98)
Hero (SB) ($2.45)
BB ($1.92)
UTG ($2.06)

Preflop: Hero is SB with 9, 6, A, 3

UTG calls $0.02, 6 folds, Hero calls $0.01, BB checks

Flop: ($0.06) 2, 5, 4 (3 players)

Hero checks, BB bets $0.06, 1 fold, Hero raises to $0.24, BB raises to $0.78, Hero raises to $2.40, BB calls $1.12 (All-In)

Turn: ($3.86) 8 (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($3.86) 7 (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $3.86 | Rake: $0.25

Results:

Hero had 9, 6, A, 3 (straight, nine high).

BB had 8, 3, 6, A (straight, eight high).

Outcome: Hero won $3.61

Yes, my starting hand sucks. Yet, from the small blind I’m going to throw in the penny and hope for hearts on the flop. With the continuous re-raises, I know what my opponent has on the flop. He has the same straight as I. The board otherwise looks harmless unless he has a wrap with a seven and eight to go with his six, which I will just have to find out.

He must have fist-pumped the air when the seven hit on the river.