Online Poker for All

In this scenario at VCPoker.com, we find ourselves dealt (6d,4d,Ah,Qh) in an Omaha tournament. After calling a small preflop raise, the flop comes down (5c,7s,8s) which at first glance, looks very good indeed.

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Let us say that we put out a pot sized bet, and our opponent raises. Part of me would be very concerned at this point, but I feel there is some value in calling and seeing how the turn card looks, although you have to feel that if our opponent has (6,9,x,x) in their hand, we can only get ourselves into more trouble.

Imagine then, that we do call, and the turn card is a (5d). Now, I will be looking to check, then fold to any bet. Some players might still be blinded by the fact that they have a Straight, but let us examine what our opponent could have. If our opponent has reraised on the flop with (x,x,7,8) then we will still be in front for the time being at least, but every other combination our opponent would be reraising with on the flop, such as a set, a two pair containing a (5) or the higher Straight, have us beaten. I would think that if our opponent had a Flush draw, they would have flat called on the flop, but that doesn’t completely negate the possibility that they have one of the hands I have mentioned as well as a Flush draw. In that case a Spade will leave us losing on the river too.

In Omaha poker, you need to do more than simpy think, "a flopped Straight is great for me, so i’m going to play it out and see if it is good enough to win". You have to look carefully at what hands your opponent can potentially have, and with a turn card like that mentioned, how many of those hands now have you beaten. Furthermore, if you call in the faint hope you are in front, you will still have to dodge cards such as a 7,8 or Spade which will cause you further concern on the river.