Playing Short Handed Fixed Limit Omaha
When you have devoted an entire lifetime - or at least a large portion of it - to studying the intricacies of the most popular poker variants known to man or beast, after a certain point you start to become aware of repetitive patterns. In particular, I find myself recently becoming hyper-focused on the game of Omaha in its many diverse forms and how to play a hand in omaha. And this should not be a shock to anyone who has been paying attention to the poker circuit in recent years, when Omaha has been staging a huge explosion of popularity, both with professional players and the masses.
What exactly are the characteristics of Omaha which have caught my attention most dramatically? First of all, I would point to the ubiquitous nature of fixed limit Omaha, especially as it applies to novice players. In fact, whenever I am approached by a new player seeking advice on how to crack the world of Omaha poker, I always strongly recommended that he or she begin with fixed limit matches.
What are the reasons for suggestion? Simply that Omaha offers so many facets a savvy player must keep track of (in terms of what the cards may accrue) that a new player is not well-served by having to be overly obsessed with the ever-growing pots. Therefore, a fixed game is more apt to focus attention to just the cards and the performance of the other opponents seated at the table.
In general, I would not advise novice players to attempt any real cash wagers in the realm of short handed fixed Omaha games. Long handed games seem to be better suited to introduce players who are not entirely confident about all the ins and outs of strategic tactics. The reason for this is simple: in a short handed game, a player is called upon to make rapid-fire decisions because the hands are dealt and played at an accelerated pace.
Thing about it for just a moment and it makes very clear sense. If you are playing a short handed game with, say, five or six opponents at the table, you will be playing a much higher number of hands per hour than you would if you were seated with a dozen players. Now, there are certainly both pros and cons to be found within the short handed structure, but generally I find this format favors experienced players who are more skilled when it comes to concealing their own tells and exploiting those revealed in others. At a larger table, conversely, there is less opportunity to focus on what other players may be unconsciously giving away about the cards they are holding. It is just more difficult to monitor a dozen people than a half-dozen, which only follows logic.
Therefore, if you are choosing to enter into the world of fixed limit Omaha as a beginner, which I recommend highly, start out with long handed games before moving on to the short handed variety. You will be rewarded by this approach.