Heads Up Pot Limit Omana in Six Hands

I recently played a heads up Pot Limit Omaha tournament. As the title indicates, the tournament was over in six hands. I only lost one pot where I was in the big blind and folded to a bet on the flop. My win was largely due to the overaggressiveness of my opponent. I am in seat #2 and my comments are in italics.



Heads Up Sit & Go 10/20 - Pot Limit Omaha

The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [5h Tc Th As]
Seat 2 calls 10
Seat 1 raises to 60
Seat 2 calls 40
I want to see a flop here. I'm in position with a decent hand, but I don't like the pot sized raise preflop. I'll proceed cautiously.
*** FLOP *** [Ah Jc 9c]
Seat 1 bets 60
Seat 2 calls 60
The half pot bet here could just be a continuation bet. I have top pair. I'll just call as this is a draw heavy board and I don't want to invest too much early in the match.
*** TURN *** [Ah Jc 9c] [7h]
Seat 1 bets 120
Seat 2 calls 120
This is a good card as I have now picked up a flush draw. The half pot bet won't scare me away.
*** RIVER *** [Ah Jc 9c 7h] [5s]
Seat 1 checks
Seat 2 bets 260
I just made a strong hand--aces up. I need to value bet this. It looks like my opponent missed a flush or straight draw.
Seat 1 calls 260
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Seat 2 shows [5h Tc Th As] (two pair, Aces and Fives)
Seat 1 shows [Kd 2c Ts Ks] (a pair of Kings)
Seat 2 wins the pot (1,000) with two pair, Aces and Fives
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 1,000 Rake 0Board: [Ah Jc 9c 7h 5s]
Seat 1 (big blind) showed [Kd 2c Ts Ks] and lost with a pair of Kings
Seat 2 (small blind) showed [5h Tc Th As] and won (1,000) with two pair, Aces and Fives
I guess my opponent was value betting the kings and a gutshot. I'm glad I got paid off here as better players would easily fold that hand.


Heads Up Sit & Go 10/20 - Pot Limit Omaha
Seat 1 (1,000)
Seat 2 (2,000)
Seat 1 posts the small blind of 10
Seat 2 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [Jh 3h 8h 6s]
Seat 1 calls 10
Seat 2 checks
No need to raise here. Let's see a flop.
** FLOP *** [4c Qd Ad]
Seat 2 checks
Seat 1 bets 40
Seat 2 folds
This a no brainer. I missed the flop completely. Time to fold.
Uncalled bet of 40 returned to Seat 1
Seat 1 mucks
Seat 1 wins the pot (40)
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 40 Rake 0Board: [4c Qd Ad]
Seat 1 (small blind) collected (40), mucked
Seat 2 (big blind) folded on the Flop

Heads Up Sit & Go 10/20 - Pot Limit Omaha
Seat 1 (1,020)
Seat 2 (1,980)
Seat 2 posts the small blind of 10
Seat 1 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [6s 2c Ts 4d]
Seat 2 calls 10
I'll just limp in and try and see a cheap flop.
Seat 1 checks
*** FLOP *** [5h 8s 2h]
Seat 1 checks
Seat 2 checks
*** TURN *** [5h 8s 2h] [Qs]
Seat 1 checks
Seat 2 bets 20
I have a flush draw, gutshot straight draw and a pair. Maybe I can win the pot by betting.
Seat 1calls 20
*** RIVER *** [5h 8s 2h Qs] [3c]
Seat 1 checks
Seat 2 bets 40
Seat 1 folds
Uncalled bet of 40 returned to Seat 2
Seat 2 mucks
Seat 2 wins the pot (80)
I had to value bet the nuts.
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 80 Rake 0Board: [5h 8s 2h Qs 3c]
Seat 1 (big blind) folded on the River
Seat 2 (small blind) collected (80), mucked

Heads Up Sit & Go 10/20 - Pot Limit Omaha

Seat 1 (980)
Seat 2 (2,020)
Seat 1 posts the small blind of 10
Seat 2 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [Ah 7c Ac 6c]
Seat 1 calls 10
Seat 2 raises to 40
Seat 1 calls 20
I like the minimum raise with aces in PLO--especially heads up. I don't want to invest too much with just one pair at this point.
*** FLOP *** [Ad As Ts]
Seat 2 checks
I like it when I flop the nuts. I hope my opponent catches up a bit.
Seat 1 checks
*** TURN *** [Ad As Ts] [Th]
Seat 2 checks
Please have quad 10s......
Seat 1 checks
*** RIVER *** [Ad As Ts Th] [2s]
Seat 2 bets 40
Time for a value bet.
Seat 1 calls 40
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Seat 2 shows [Ah 7c Ac 6c] (four of a kind, Aces)
Seat 1 mucks
Seat 2 wins the pot (160) with four of a kind, Aces
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 160 Rake 0Board: [Ad As Ts Th 2s]
Seat 1 (small blind) mucked [Qh 8h 2d 9s] - two pair, Aces and Twos
Seat 2 (big blind) showed [Ah 7c Ac 6c] and won (160) with four of a kind, Aces
This player is not that good. I don't see anyway that Aces and twos with a queen kicker would be good in that spot.

Heads Up Sit & Go 10/20 - Pot Limit Omaha
Seat 1 (900)
Seat 2 (2,100)
Seat 2 posts the small blind of 10
Seat 1 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 2[5d 4h Js Ts]
Seat 2 calls 10
I want to see a cheap flop with a hand like this.
Seat 1 checks
*** FLOP *** [3d Tc 8h]
Seat 1 checks
Seat 2 bets 40
I have not led out with a pot sized bet yet. My opponent should respect this bet. I hold top pair but nothing more. I'm just using my big stack more than anything else to win the pot here.
Seat 1 folds
Uncalled bet of 40 returned to Seat 2
Seat 2 mucks
Seat 2 wins the pot (40)
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 40 Rake 0Board: [3d Tc 8h]
Seat 1 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2 (small blind) collected (40), mucked

Heads Up Sit & Go 10/20 - Pot Limit Omaha
Seat 1 (880)
Seat 2 (2,120)
Seat 1 posts the small blind of 10
Seat 2 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [9h As 3s 2d]
Seat 1 raises to 60
Seat 2 calls 40
I'll try and flop big. I'm out of position, but I have enough chips to gamble a bit at this stage.
*** FLOP *** [2s 5s 3d]
Seat 2 checks
I flopped big. I have not check raised yet. That is my plan.
Seat 1 bets 120
Seat 2 raises to 480
I'm a bit worried about a pot sized bet here. I know I have outs regardless of what my oppoent holds. I'll play a big pot with a hand like this.
Seat 1 raises to 820, and is all in
Seat 2calls 340
Pot committed with this hand. Easy call.
Seat 1 shows [Kd Ad 8s 8d]
Seat 2 shows [9h As 3s 2d]
Wow, going all in with just the overpair. Must be an omaha rookie.
*** TURN *** [2s 5s 3d] [4s]
I win.
*** RIVER *** [2s 5s 3d 4s] [Ts]
Seat 1 shows a pair of Eights
Seat 2 shows a straight flush, Five high
Seat 2 wins the pot (1,760) with a straight flush, Five high

*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 1,760 Rake 0Board: [2s 5s 3d 4s Ts]
Seat 1 (small blind) showed [Kd Ad 8s 8d] and lost with a pair of Eights
Seat 2 (big blind) showed [9h As 3s 2d] and won (1,760) with a straight flush, Five high
That was about as quick of a heads up tournament as I have ever played.

A monster with a suited connector

Much has been written about the value of playing small suited connectors in no-limit hold 'em. I won't reiterate any of those themes here. Instead, I have posted how one of the suited connectors I recently played in a low stakes cash game turned out. I only had about 30 minutes to play, so I bought in to a six handed $0.25/$0.50 no limit hold 'em game. I had just got done folding both blinds and was now on the button. I am in seat #1 and my comments are in italics.

$0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em

Seat 1: ($19.25)

Seat 4: ($21.55)

Seat 6: ($19.60)

Seat 9: ($9.95)

Seat 4 posts the small blind of $0.25

Seat 6 posts the big blind of $0.50

The button is in seat #1

*** HOLE CARDS ***

Dealt to Seat 1 [5h 4h]

Seat 9 folds

Seat 1 calls $0.50

I'm in position. I want to see a flop as cheap as I can.

Seat 4 raises to $1

Seat 6 folds

Seat 1 calls $0.50

A minimum raise is a bit suspicious. I'm surprised that the BB didn't call. I'm getting a good price and I am in position. I'll call.

*** FLOP *** [7h 6h 3c]

Seat 4 bets $1.50

Seat 1 calls $1.50

I just flopped the nuts with a redraw to the super nuts. I'm just going to call.

*** TURN *** [7h 6h 3c] [3h]

Seat 4 bets $3

Seat 1 calls $3

I just turned a monster. I'm hoping my opponent has the Ace high flush. There is no value in raising here. I hope my opponent catches up some on the river.

*** RIVER *** [7h 6h 3c 3h] [Tc]

Seat 4 bets $6

Seat 1 raises to $13.75, and is all in

I have to raise here. If I raised the minimum, I'm left with just $1.75. I'm all in.

Seat 4 has 15 seconds left to act

Please call. Please call.

Seat 4: QQ tough spot

Seat 4 folds

Uncalled bet of $7.75 returned to Seat 1

Seat 1 mucks

Seat 1 wins the pot ($22.35)

I can believe that my opponent had QQ. Good fold.

*** SUMMARY ***Total pot $23.50 Rake $1.15

Board: [7h 6h 3c 3h Tc]

Seat 1: (button) collected ($22.35), mucked

Seat 4: (small blind) folded on the River

Seat 6: (big blind) folded before the Flop

Seat 9: didn't bet (folded)

A Pot Limit Omaha Royal Flush

When you play as much poker as I do, you are bound to hit some monster hands from time to time. I was fortunate enough to hit this royal flush about 3 weeks before I hit the one in stud 8/b. Again, I'm in seat #1 and my comments are in italics. To start this hand, I was down about 2 to 1 in chips. At the end of the hand, I had a small chip lead. Here is how it went down:

Heads Up Sit & Go - 20/40 - Pot Limit Omaha

Seat 1 (900)

Seat 2 (2,100)

Seat 2 posts the small blind of 20

Seat 1 posts the big blind of 40

The button is in seat #2

*** HOLE CARDS ***

Dealt to Seat 1 [4h Tc Js Jc]

Seat 2 calls 20

Seat 1 checks

I rarely raise preflop in PLO--that is just the nature of my game. The blinds are still small enough that I don' t need to gamble.

*** FLOP *** [Kd Ac Qc]

Seat 1 bets 40

Seat 2calls 40

I just flopped the nuts with a great redraw. I want to find out where I am at, so I'll bet half of the pot. I didn't get raised, so I probably have the best hand.

*** TURN *** [Kd Ac Qc] [Kc]

Seat 1 bets 80

Seat 2 calls 80

At a full table, I definitely check the royal here. However, I'll disguise my hand by leading out for another half pot bet. If my opponent hit his flush, I'll probably get paid off on the river too. I'm really hoping that he is full at this point.

*** RIVER *** [Kd Ac Qc Kc] [9d]

Seat 1 bets 160

Seat 2calls 160

I'll put in a half pot value bet here. The 9 makes for more straight possibilities. I hope to get paid off or raised.

*** SHOW DOWN ***

Seat 1 shows [4h Tc Js Jc] (a Royal Flush)

Seat 2 mucks

Seat 1 wins the pot (640) with a Royal Flush

The blinds are now 25/50

*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 640 Rake 0 Board: [Kd Ac Qc Kc 9d]

Seat 1 (big blind) showed [4h Tc Js Jc] and won (640) with a Royal Flush

Seat 2 (small blind) mucked [Ts Ad 4c 2c] - a flush, Ace high

I got called down by a weak flush. I love donkeys in heads up play.

A Royal in Stud 8/b

These were the last 3 hands of a small buy in 7 card stud 8/b heads up tournament I recently played. I was cruising along and held a 2-1 chip advantage in the second level of the tournament. I then proceeded to quickly put my opponent away. Hand history is below. I am in seat #1. My comments are in italics.


Heads Up Sit & Go
40/80 Ante 7 - Limit Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo
Seat 1: (2,031)
Seat 2: (969)
Seat 1 antes 7
Seat 2 antes 7
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [3d 5c] [7c]
Dealt to Seat 2 [7s]
Seat 1 is low with [7c]
Seat 1 brings in for 10
No need to complete here. I want to see what happens on 4th st.
Seat 2 calls 10
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [3d 5c 7c] [6d]
Dealt to Seat 2 [7s] [Ac]
Seat 2 bets 40
I'd bet with the Ace showing too. I probably have the best low draw and a gutshot. I have good implied odds on getting paid off if I make the 7 high straight.
Seat 1 calls 40
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [3d 5c 7c 6d] [5d]
Dealt to Seat 2 [7s Ac] [3h]
Seat 2 bets 80
Seat 1 calls 80
I don't like to see another 3 or 7 up. I'm still confident in my low draw and I now have a pair. My opponent may think I'm just drawing to the low and his Ace high is good.
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [3d 5c 7c 6d 5d] [Ts]
Dealt to Seat 2 [7s Ac 3h] [Qh]
Seat 2 bets 80
Seat 1 calls 80
Based on the way I have played the hand thus far, my opponent probably thinks I'm just drawing to the low. I think my 5s are good and I have a decent shot at the low too. I also have a good chip lead and have some gambling chips.
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [3d 5c 7c 6d 5d Ts] [2d]
Seat 2 checks
Seat 1 bets 80
I made my low. I don't think my opponent has a better low. I'll make a bet here.
Seat 2 calls 80
I'm glad to not get raised on 7th st.
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Seat 1 shows [5c 3d 7c 6d 5d Ts 2d] (a pair of Fives) (7,6,5,3,2)
Seat 2 shows [Ks 8d 7s Ac 3h Qh 5h] (Ace King high) (8,7,5,3,A)
Seat 1 wins the high pot (297) with a pair of Fives
Seat 1 wins the low pot (297) with 7,6,5,3,2
The limits are now 50/100 with an ante of 10
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 594 Rake 0
Seat 1 showed [5c 3d 7c 6d 5d Ts 2d] and won (594) with HI: a pair of Fives; LO: 7,6,5,3,2
Seat 2 showed [Ks 8d 7s Ac 3h Qh 5h] and lost with HI: Ace King high; LO: 8,7,5,3,A
I was right. My pair of 5s was good for high. I got lucky to dodge some big cards to win the high and was fortunate that my opponent also made a low.


Heads Up Sit & Go
50/100 Ante 10 - Limit Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo
Seat 1 (2,328)
Seat 2 (672)
Seat 1 antes 10
Seat 2 antes 10
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [Ac Td] [Th]
Dealt to Seat 2 [7c]
Seat 2 is low with [7c]
Seat 2 brings in for 15
Seat 1 completes it to 50
I have a pair and want to keep putting pressure on my short stacked opponent.
Seat 2 calls 35
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [Ac Td Th] [6h]
Dealt to Seat 2 [7c] [3h]
Seat 1 bets 50
If my opponent is chasing a low, I want to charge the full price.
Seat 2 calls 50
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [Ac Td Th 6h] [4s]
Dealt to Seat 2 [7c 3h] [Jd]
Seat 2 checks
Seat 1 bets 100
I don't think the Jack helped any, so I'll keep betting. You don't want to give any free cards out on 5th st.
Seat 2 calls 100
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [Ac Td Th 6h 4s] [8c]
Dealt to Seat 2 [7c 3h Jd] [Kh]
Seat 2 checks
Seat 1 checks
I don't like the two over cards to my 10.
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [Ac Td Th 6h 4s 8c] [Ad]
Seat 2 checks
Seat 1 bets 100
Aces up is definitely worth a bet here.
Seat 2 calls 100
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Seat 1 shows [Ad Ac Th 6h 4s 8c Td] (two pair, Aces and Tens)
Seat 2 shows [4h 4d 7c 3h Jd Kh 3s] (two pair, Fours and Threes)
Seat 1 wins the pot (620) with two pair, Aces and Tens
Got paid off by a weaker two pair. This match is almost over.
No low hand qualified
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 620 Rake 0
Seat 1 showed [Ad Ac Th 6h 4s 8c Td] and won (620) with HI: two pair, Aces and Tens
Seat 2 showed [4h 4d 7c 3h Jd Kh 3s] and lost with HI: two pair, Fours and Threes


Heads Up Sit & Go
50/100 Ante 10 - Limit Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo
Seat 1 (2,638)
Seat 2 (362)
Seat 1 antes 10
Seat 2 antes 10
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [Kh 6s] [Qh]
Dealt to Seat 2 [8s]
Seat 2 is low with [8s]
Seat 2 brings in for 15
Seat 1 calls 15
No need to complete with just big cards. I want to see 4th st.
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [Kh 6s Qh] [Jh]
Dealt to Seat 2 [8s] [Kd]
Seat 2 checks
Seat 1 checks
I'll take a free card here.
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [Kh 6s Qh Jh] [Th]
Dealt to Seat 2 [8s Kd] [3s]
Seat 2 bets 100
Seat 1 calls 100
I have a monster draw here. I don't need to raise as I don't think my hand will be good unless I hit.
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [Kh 6s Qh Jh Th] [9s]
Dealt to Seat 2 [8s Kd 3s] [7d]
Seat 2 bets 100
Seat 1 raises to 200
I hit the straight. My opponent does not have much left. I want to raise right now.
Seat 2 calls 100
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [Kh 6s Qh Jh Th 9s] [Ah]
Seat 2 checks
Seat 1 bets 100
I think a bet here quite obvious. I know I'll take the high.
Seat 2 calls 37, and is all in
Uncalled bet of 63 returned to Seat 1
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Seat 1 shows [Ah Kh Qh Jh Th 9s 6s] (a Royal Flush)
Seat 2 mucks
Seat 1 wins the pot (724) with a Royal Flush
Seat 2 stands up
Seat 1 stands up
No low hand qualified
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 724 Rake 0
Seat 1 showed [Ah Kh Qh Jh Th 9s 6s] and won (724) with HI: a Royal Flush
Seat 2 mucked [8h 8d 8s Kd 3s 7d 3d] - HI: a full house, Eights full of Threes
Wow, my opponent was rolled up and made a boat. That must be a horrible way to get eliminated. I would have completed on 3rd St. or raised earlier in the hand.

A donkey gets rewarded

Yeah, it happens. A bad player makes a bad play with bad cards and somehow manages to get his hand to hold up and win a pot. While this is very frustrating, that is the kind of play you want to run into as it will never succeed in the long run. It stings a bit more in tournaments than it does in cash games. I was in a omaha 8/b tournament at my local casino. It was a small tournament and we had just gotten down to the final table. I was on a good run and had even made the steel wheel (a 5 high straight flush) to scoop a big pot earlier. I get involved in a big pot with a very aggressive player where I flopped top set and he turned a straight. I lost a key pot there, but still had enough chips to survive a couple of orbits.

Going card dead with a short stack is never a good thing. More pots were getting raised preflop and I just never had a good enough hand to see a flop. As the big blind was getting closer to me, I knew I had to get all of my chips in soon if I wanted to survive. We had lost one player and were 8 handed. A player new to omaha 8/b raised in middle position, a solid player made it 3 bets to go and I look down at As-2s-Kc-Qc. I made it 4 bets and that almost put me all in. I was surprised when the initial raiser called the 4 bets. I figured I would just go heads up against the solid player. I knew he had a hand, but I had no clue what the initial raiser held. I get it all in on a flop of 2c-4s-10c. I had a pair, flush draw and a back door low. The turn was the 8d and the river was the 9h. I missed my flush, had no low and a pair of 2s for the high. The solid player (who got all in on the turn) showed Ad-3d-5c-Kh. He had ace king high for the high and the nut low.

And what did our novice donkey have? 5h-5s-5d-7d. Yes, he open raised with trips in his hand. A horrible play. I can somewhat comprehend this play if he was on a straight steal. But I don't see how he can call two more bets preflop with such a horrible hand. Maybe he just didn't know how to play omaha 8/b. He called another bet on the flop with a pair of 5s and a bad low draw. He also put more money in the pot with our solid player got all in with his pair of 5s and 8-7 low. Obviously, his pair of 5s held up for the high part of the pot. Another bad play getting rewarded. I know the best preflop hand in omaha doesn't hold up that often, but this was a very frustrating hand as it knocked me out of a tournament.

An Amaizing Run

About two months ago, I had the most amazing run of cards and good play at the table. In the span of about an hour and a half I turned a $200 buy in into a little over $500 in a $1/$2 no limit hold 'em game. It was the perfect storm of good cards, inexperienced players and a good table image. I slow played A-K preflop and hit the K. Another player also hit top pair and raised me when I led out and bet at the pot. I put him all in. I won. I raised with 7-7. Flop came 6 high. I led out and bet. Opponent raised. I reraised all in. I won. Opponent had top pair. When I missed and led out everyone seemed to fold. I rarely was involved in a show down and when I was, I had it. I never held any big pairs, but I always managed to get myself into situations where I was able to bet strong and win a pot and not show. I also had my fair share of pots where people didn't think I was too strong and raised me and I pushed back with my big stack. I guess they thought I was bullying the table. I wasn't. It is always easy to bully the table when you hold good cards.

I was also taking advantage of inexperienced players. I fired the second and third bullet a few times against players who I knew could not stand a big bet. I limped in a pot with Ad-4d. I flop a flush draw. I lead out at the pot and get called by a novice player. I turn a pair of 4s and check. The novice makes a very small bet on the turn. I instantly call. I check again on the river and my opponent made another small bet. I raised him all in and won. Sessions like that don't happen often--making $300 in 1.5 hours is a pretty good hourly rate ($200/hour).