Omaha Hi/Lo Nut Low Folds

A common mistake by many players is to hold on to their nut now hands. They may think it is crazy to drop a nut hand, but sometimes in reality it is crazy to see it through to the river. Holding on to nut low hands in certain situations can be a costly experience.

I have taken advantage of many players hanging on for their quarter share of the pot. Often, they get their low nut hand countered, resulting in them folding an expensive pot.

To determine whether its worth staying in the pot, you need to assess your hand, assess the pot size to determine the value. You need to look at the board and figure out the likelihood of a danger card scuppering your nut low hand.

Often when their is very little in the pot, chasing for the low pot is not a great idea, even when you have the nuts. A common situation is when you are involved in a cheap flop, the betting starts going a little wild. You realize the other players are holding powerful hands. You have little chance of making the high hand by the river, and it is unlikely that you are the only player with the nut low.

If you think about it logically, there is little money in the pot, you have the other 3 players betting like maniacs. The pot is going to be big and you are probably only fighting for your money back, hoping for a quarter share. The board may pair off one of your low cards by the river, and your hand is sunk. It seems an unnecessary risk.

Let's assess one of these nut low hand fold situations.

Your Hand : A-2-9-K (Rainbow)
Board : 6-7-8 (Flush Cards)

From here, you are highly unlikely to make the high hand, with the straight or flush likely, so you are exclusively chasing the low. If you are playing tight players, there might be others holding the A-2. The betting is probably going crazy because others are also sitting with the nut low and chasing the nut high. The pot will be an expensive one to remain in. If an Ace or 2 land by the river, it will kill off your low hand opportunity but will be unlikely to offer you any hopes of the high hand.

You are probably chasing a quarter share of a four way pot. This gives you very little value to stay in the pot. By staying in to collect your share of the initial small pot may not be a good idea considering any Ace or 2 will ensure you are drawing dead. This is a good time to fold the nut low.

If you know the players around you, you will have a better idea when it is correct to fold the nut low. Unless you have a backup card, holding on to the nut low can seriously hurt your bankroll when the wrong cards land by the river.

Sometimes if you are sitting at a very loose table, holding the nut low in this situation can pay but you need to assess the Risk v Gains. On tight tables, you are probably only playing for your money back.

Now you know why it is not always advisable to play the nut low. Use this information to play a smarter game.

 

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