The Value of Position: Omaha v Hold 'Em

Ste05

I always see people in the general Omaha threads talking about how much more important position in Omaha is when compared to HE. Can anyone explain this to me? I don't have a great knowledge (read: fcuk all) of Omaha so feel free to dumb it down as much as you think is necessary.

If I was to take a stab at it, I'd think it relates to the amount of draw, combo draws, etc. that both we can hold and the board might dictate our opponents may have. So if we have say top set on a drawy board, we can decide if we want to gamble for our stacks and if and when the money goes in and vice versa? I presume it's not relating to bluffing, or if it does it relates to what if any blockers we may hold that would allow us to bluff???

It might be a very simple thing, but I'd love to read any links people might have about it, or if they feel like typing out a response, I'd be very interested in hearing an explanation. I think it's about time I start to learn and play a more this (what appears to me) mental game.

mewso

From reading the fabled Slotboom's book it's vital in terms of where you are relative to the tight/loose players especially if you want to control pot size.

For short stack play he wants the agressive players acting after him so he can limp-push to any raise.

With a big stack he wants agressive players acting before him so he can isolate them. Particularly weak agressive players.

Thats his angle. Like you I'd be interested in hearing from the experts here. I would imagine that it is as you say very much about making the decisions a bit easier particularly considering pots can be much larger.

5starpool

I think it is largely to do with the fact that pots are far more likely to be multi way in Omaha, so the later you act the more likely it is that you can put a reasonable reraise in to clear out the draws. Obviously as Muso mentions, early position in Omaha is much more likely to be advantageous with aggressive players after you as you can reraise continuation bets (much less common in Omaha) from these players. Also, in LP it is much more likely that you are going to get priced in to draws, which can be good if you have some nut draws.

Imposter

A lot of it could be the ability to bluff at scare cards if your opponent checks.

DeVore

Me + Expert + Omaha = Computer says no.

One difference it has is with big pair hands which dont hit. If you raise up front with them you are left to C-bet them if you dont hit a set and that looks weak and can be snapped off. Literally you have no idea what you are betting into and that can be taken advantage of by players in position. Its one of the reasons I've come to seriously downgrade big pairs OOP, particularly with no backhand.

Also if someone has hit a set and the flop is flush drawing, you will see them bet it out ahead of you. Very few will let that sort of board pass and give free cards in Omaha. Finally, if you are last on the round you can raise on the flop and if you are called, fire another barrel on fourth street if the nuts doesnt change but its a draw-ish board.

This advice may lose you thousands of pounds and should not be taken by anyone. But it makes sense to me at the levels I play.

DeV.