Tom Dwan

Tom Dwan is recognized for his cash game skills, but he is also a very talented tournament player. Last year he final tabled the $10K H.O.R.S.E. event. The year before he almost took down a $1,500 No Limit event. Besides his excellent poker skills, Dwan has the advantage of putting other players on edge.

Shaun Deeb

Shaun Deeb is one of the most prolific and successful online tournament players. He has only been playing live tournaments for a few years. Admittedly, he has not had the best success on the live tournament scene. However, he has had some bad luck in the WSOP, as is seen in the now famous hand versus Max Heinzelmann where Deeb got it all in preflop with Aces against Heinzelmann’s Ax6x. Deeb always looks to be a good bet in any poker tournemant.

Liv Boeree

Boeree is another player who has a good chance of winning a bracelet. She has shown that she is skilled at navigating large field tournaments. Besides winning EPT San Remo for $1.6 million, she has also taken down several online tournaments on PokerStars after signing with them. Another reason to root for Boeree is that she is an advertisers dream and would get an tremendous amount of publicity for the game of poker should she take down a large event.

The $1,500 Omaha gives you the worst odds to win one of these due to field size.

Worst Bet – $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo Event

The $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo Event has been regularly setting records the last few years for the number of participants at the World Series of Poker. Part of this is due to creative scheduling and part is due to numerous pros jumping on board the non-Hold’em bandwagon trying to win a bracelet.

The structure of the event is decent but the starting chips catch up to you after a few levels, especially with the swingyness of Omaha Hi-Lo. Thang Luu pulled off an amazing feat winning the 2008 and 2009 $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo Event. The next two years, the event set records for attendance for Omaha Events.

Treat this as an $1,000 NL Hold’em Event and play it to try and get some chips early on or hope you go on a run at the right time.

Best Bet – $5,000 PL Omaha Six-Handed Event

The $5,000 PL Omaha Six-Handed Event is really the best event to try and win an Omaha bracelet in for those proficient in the game. Granted, the field in this event will be a stacked one, but it will be a somewhat small field compared to every other event short of the $10k PL Omaha Event.

If you have strong six-max skills and aren’t rattled by pro players, this may be the easiest path for an Omaha bracelet at the WSOP. Of course, it could serve to be the quickest way to bust first level as these events are not rebuy events.

Those that like to play Omaha Hi-Lo will probably have a strong shot at a bracelet in the $5k Omaha Hi-Lo event, but your odds of winning will not be as good as in the $5k Six-Max event due to a larger field size.

The swings in Omaha do make winning a WSOP bracelet tough, but any Omaha event is still going to give you much better odds than any random NL Hold’em Event. Good luck this summer at the 2012 World Series of Poker and hopefully we will see you at the final table.

Bill Boston's book is a great tool for beginning Omaha Hi-Lo players.

Bill Boston is truly an old school poker player who specialized in the game of Omaha. Bill spent months compiling statistical data in composing his book and the book is a great tool that players can use to narrow down what the hands with positive expectation are in the game.

For those that like to crunch numbers, the book is two-thirds raw and statistical data covering every single possible starting hand in Omaha Hi-Lo and gives you the expected monetary value of the hand. The purpose of the data is to help players make better starting hand choices when playing the game.

Of note, many criticize this book because it focuses primarily on the $5-$10 Limit Omaha Hi-Lo range and some feel that this does not give a true expectation for all limits. While this argument has some merit, one must remember that this book is primarily a tool to help players tighten up their overall game and make smarter choices in the game.

I will admit that I know Bill personally and have actually seen him apply the theory he discusses in his book successfully to live Omaha Hi-Lo play. He is not a full-time poker player anymore due to his age, but many of his concepts are still valuable for those picking up the game.

Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo players will not find any real value in the stats as it is geared to the limit game, so those players need to find a more recent book covering that game. However, for those just starting to learn Omaha Hi-Lo, pick up a copy of his book and study the charts in order to give yourself some idea of what hands will be long term winners and losers in the game.

What is a Kill?

A kill is essentially a hand that is played at a higher stake than the previous hand. This happens when a player scoops a pot of a set limit or more. In a $2-$4 game with a kill, the amount would usually be $40. The $40 is including the rake that the house takes out.

When a kill occurs, the stakes go up for the next hand. Many games are a full kill, which means the stakes are doubled the next hand. A $2-$4 game is now a $4-$8 game. Sometimes you will have a half kill, which means the bets increase by half. A $2-$4 game would not be a $3-$6 game.

Should one player scoop a pot above the kill limit ($40 in our example), then the next hand continues with the kill limits. Should the pot be split or the pot fall below the kill pot limit, the stakes go back to normal.

Adjusting for the Kill

Players will tend to adjust to kill pots in one of two way. The first, and unfortunately most common, is that they tighten up and will only play if they are the kill or have a super premium hand. Some players may not play a kill pot at all.

The other side of the coin sees players get very aggressive in kill pots due to the fact that players are playing tight. The players that usually play at a higher limit but are playing in a kill game because their game didn’t seat will usually fit this mold.

Best Strategy

When playing in a kill game, your strategy will be partially based on your table. If the table is somewhat passive, open up your hand range a bit but don’t go into calling raises pre-flop.

Get aggressive with strong hands, and play most of the stronger hands in this spot. Unless you are at a very loose table, you will be able to put players on hands that play back at you really quick.

Also, if you can limp in, play a few more high only hands. When the board misses for a low on the flop, most players will abandon the kill pot allowing you to pick up a hand. If you get called, on a high board, you most likely now have outs to make a hand if you have not already hit something.

Kill pots can be a great way to make extra profits in Omaha Hi-Lo but don’t get too carried away as the cost of poker is higher here and calling to many bet light will drain your bankroll. Good luck at the tables.

This hand may be speculative but against many low chasers, it could play very strong.

Big Wrap Hands

Big wrap hands have the potential to play well in either heads-up hands or in multi-player pots where players are primarily limping into the pot pre-flop or when the players going into the pot are primarily tight. The reason is that in hands like these, the odds of most of the low cards being in your opponents hands goes way up.

Hands like A-K-Q-J, K-Q-J-10, Q-J-10-9, or even J-10-9-8 can play very well when the flop falls high as you have many of the high straights covered. In addition, if your opponents are indeed mostly holding low cards, a bet on the flop could take the hand right there.

Pair and Connected Cards

A pair along with a couple of connected cards, especially if the pair works with the connectors can also can play in pots like big wrap hands. They give you an added potential set and full house benefit in addition to your draws. Most any pair with a couple of big connectors can play very well in multi-way pots should you hit, but should be abandoned on the flop when you miss.

Two Pair Hands

When you are playing hands where you are holding two pair, you would be wise to play with to pairs that are either large or somewhat connected. Something hands like J-J-10-10, J-J-9-9, K-K-10-10, especially when suited or double-suited, are great for hitting multiple sets, and some straights and flushes when coordinated. These are also hands that should probably be abandoned should you miss the flop and it comes low.

The above hands are not hands to be played with a lot of action pre-flop. However, when you are in games that are very passive pre-flop or with a lot of rocks, playing these hands and getting out when things go bad can help you win more money in the game. Good luck to you at the tables.

Mixed split pot games are not spread by all casinos but they are profitable.

Open Your Range in Stud 8 Games

The dynamic of many of these mixed games is that players mainly want to play $15-$30 Omaha Hi-Lo and don’t really care about the Stud 8 game.  This can actually work to your advantage if you are willing to play a little looser during the Stud round.  Complete a bit more often in position and especially if you are heads-up with a high card vs a low car.

This is counterintuitive to most Stud 8 play, but a high hand will play decent against a single opponent.  Should they catch bad, you will probably take the pot.  The same will happen should you catch an open pair and all they have is a weak low draw.

Be Aggressive in Kill Pots

Many of these games will be kill games which means that if a pot goes over a certain amount, such as a scooped pot of $150 or more, then the next hand is played at double the limits. ($15-$30 becomes $30-$60).  When this happens, the tighter players will usually not play the next hand because they will have to play for more.  Be willing to raise more or speculate in these hands and bet strong should the board flop dry.

Take Advantage of “Stud High” Players

Earlier we mentioned players who like to play just Omaha and are passive during Stud rounds.  Some of those same players also tend to play the game poorly and try to play it more like Stud Hi.  When you get these types of players in your game and you can get a decent hand against them, punish them by extracting maximum value for your hands.

Also, be very aggressive with made hands in this game.  With the higher limits, some may not be as willing to speculate, especially if their bankrolls cannot handle the swings associated with this limit.  You will find this for players who normally play $5-$10 and are taking a stab at this limit.

Omaha 8 / Stud 8 mixed games are not very common in casinos, but when they are spread, they tend to be action games.  By using the above tips and playing smart, you can take advantage of the players lack of action during Stud rounds and kill pots to improve your overall win rate.  Good luck at the tables.

Looks like both these guys were trying to bluff in this hand.

Flop Bluffing

Bluffing on the flop is all about board texture and what type of draws are out there. For example, if the board flops all high cards in a multi-way pot, there is a high chance that a bet from an aggressive player is going to take the pot as many of the hands will hold low cards.

Also, a paired flop is another potential opportunity to force players out of the pot as they are fearful of the full house. Another spot that many don’t think about bluffing that often are situations where a flop may produce an ace or both and ace and a deuce. In these cases, you may be able to force out opponents that have just an A-2 in their hand for low. If you meet resistance then they most likely have backup for their low.

Turn Bluffing

Again, board texture is going to help you out with bluffing on the turn. Should a low draw fail to hit on the turn, a bet may force some players out the pot that are not willing to chase down a draw. Like on the flop, should an ace hit the turn, player looking for A-2 to hit a low without backup are going to fold to a bet.

Other bluffs may depend on position. For example, if the board pairs and a flush or straight hits without completing a low and you are in late position, this may be a great time to bet. Of course, if your opponent check-raises you and you don’t have any type of draw, it is time to abandon the hand.

River Bluffing

The river is usually the easiest street to attempt a bluff. Should a low not develop on the river, you can usually chase out the low chasers with a bet. Should action be checked to you with a potential straight, flush, or full house on board, a bet may take down the pot.

With betting on the river with a potential draw or full house hitting, also evaluate how likely your opponent is to call down with a weaker made draw. This usually works better as a bluff with just one player at the river. Sometimes it will work with two, but if you have three players or more this play will probably fail.

As you can see from above, there are some spots where one can bluff in Omaha Hi-Lo. A lot depends on board texture and position, but an observant and aggressive player can actually take down a few pots with some selective bluffing in the game.

Three aces are never good in a starting hand.

Let’s first look at playing three aces with a suited card. When you decide to play this hand, you are essentially locked in to either catching a flush or hoping that you get lucky and the case ace comes on the board. When that case ace comes, you have to hope that either the board pairs or that nobody hits a straight or flush. As you can see from this, you are essentially leaving your options very limited. A single pair of aces will not win very often in this game and about the only time you should think about playing this hand would be in the big blind where the pot is limped.

Omaha Hi-Lo presents its own set of challenges when you play A-A-A-2 or three aces with a low card. If you get this type of hand, you better hope that your ace is suited when you play it. Otherwise, you are drawing to half the pot at best. Worse still, if a deuce happens to hit the board, you’re counterfeited and have a worthless hand. Again, this is a hand that you will want to play in the big blind only, but some players will try to play this to just a min-raise in a limit game. Don’t fall into that trap. Dump the hand.

Remember that just because aces look good in your hand, that doesn’t mean that you should go and play with three of them in your hand. This sounds logical and even silly to some of you playing, but there are some of you that are trying to justify playing three aces and an odd card. Don’t waste your money chasing -EV plays. Dump the hand and go on to the next. Good luck to you at the tables.

Liv Boeree is consider the hottest female poker player and she can actually play.

Liv Boeree

Liv Boeree easily tops the list. She started as a reality TV contestant on Ultimate Poker Showdown hosted by the ubiquitous Phil Hellmuth and Annie Duke. Her charisma and looks then landed her a spot as an on camera reporter for various poker media. Not only is she absolutely stunning, but she also is a fantastic tournament player.

She scored her fist cash in 2008 at the APAT Welsh Amateur Championship and took home a modes $ 1,175. She followed this up by taking down the Ladbrokes Poker European Ladies Championship for  $40K. She also cashed twice in the 2008 WSOP.

Boeree continued to make decent scores, but nothing spectacular. Then, in 2010, at the EPT San Remo she won the main event for $1.5 million. This immediately put her into the forefront for her poker skills as well as her outstanding looks. Later that year, Boeree took 2^nd in the EPT London $2K No Limit event and took home $80K.  Boeree also has had success online. After signing with PokerStars she won the Sunday Warmup for $147,780.00.

Lauren Kling

Lauren Kling looks like your typical hot blonde California sorority girl, but she is actually a phenomenal tournament poker player.  She has around $217,000 in live tournament winnings. Online she has over $ 1 million.

Kling got her start playing online while at the University of California, Berkly. While at school, she started playing online and slowly worked her way up to playing the highest buy in M.T.T.’s.

Under the screenname “locoenlacabeza”, Kling has $448,135.2 in winnings on Full Tilt. On Stars, under “locoencabeza”, Kling has $296,537 in winnings. On Absolute Poker she won $300k. She has also cashed at the WSOP in 2009,2010 and 2011. Recently, Kling took 2^nd at the PCA Ladies event.

Melanie Weisner

Melanie Weisner is a Heads-Up SNG specialist. She also does very well in large field MTT’s. She graduated from NYU with a degree in vocal performance. While at NYU she got into poker and turned pro upon graduating. Weisner has appeared on Poker After Dark as well as commentating for EPT events.

Weisner started playing the smallest buy in tournaments while at NYU. She began by playing the $3.00 buy in MTT’s on PokerStars. She moved up the ladder gradually and later turned her sights on Heads-Up SNGs. Here skill level was so high that she was soon one of the top ranked Heads Up SNG specialists in the world.

She had over half a million in online winnings on PokerStars playing under the screnname “Callisto 5”.  After making a name for herself on the EPT she was signed by Full Tilt. By the time she was signed as a Red Pro she was regularly playing the $500 and $1000 buy in Turbo Heads Up games. At the same time she was having success on the live poker circuit.

Weisner continues to have success and is currently a signed pro for Lock Poker. She still travels the circuit and has returned to playing the high stakes SNG’s on PokerStars.

Multiple possiblities make Omaha a popular poker variant.

Omaha Poker

If you are a player that prefers a ton of action in your poker game, you will probably want to give a look at Pot-Limit Omaha. With the numerous options given each hand due to four hole cards, this game can have average pots that exceed Texas Hold’em pots. For those that love to play drawing hands, this is a game that rewards playing strong draws aggressively.

Omaha Hi-Lo is for those that like split-pot games. These games can tend to have a lot of action as well. Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo is ever increasing in popularity and could soon force limit Omaha Hi-Lo to near extinction.

Seven Card Stud

If you prefer limit poker games or are a player that is a bit more solid in their play, Stud may be your game. Any player that can learn to play Stud well has the patience to play any form of poker. Stud requires a lot of focus and concentration as well as observation of cards played and folded by players.

Stud Hi-Lo has a bit more action but does give competent players a bigger edge over newer players. Many try to play the game like Stud High and wind up making huge mistakes. You are more likely to find Stud 8 tournaments spread live than regular Stud tournaments.

Lowball Poker

If you are a limit poker player that likes action, Triple Draw 2-7 Lowball may be your game. While a lowball game, the game does tend to be an action game as players get three shots to make their hand. There’s also a bit more bluffing in this game after the 2nd and 3rd draw than in most limit games.

NL Single Draw 2-7 Lowball give players a game that has elements of NL Hold’em but in lowball format. Aggressive players like this game as they can use elements of their Hold’em game in this game as well. Unfortunately you will be stuck to online games for this variant as there are very few NL Single Draw games offered in live poker other than higher limits.

Looking to expand you skill in poker is always recommended as it not only gives you added revenue streams, but also prepares you for when trends in the game chance. The more games you can play well, the better poker player you will become. Good luck at the tables.