Without doubt the very best starting hands in Omaha H/L are A-A-2-3 double suited followed by A-A-2-4 double suited. These hands are very strong because they can be played for both high and low, which gives it great scoop potential. Of course, being suited or (even better) double-suited adds value to every hand.

A-A-2-x

A-A-3-x

A-A-4-5

A-2-3-x

A-2-K-K

A-2-Q-Q

A-2-J-J

A-3-4-5

A-A-x-x

A-2-K-Q

A-2-K-J

A-2-x-x (suited Ace)

A-3-K-K

A-3-4-x

2-3-4-5 (fold if there is no Ace on the flop.)

J-Q-K-A

T-J-Q-K

K-K-Q-J

Q-J-T-9

2-3-4-x (fold if there is no Ace on the flop).

Any four cards between Ten and an Ace.

A hand like A-5-5-5 suited is a trap hand. With this hand, you have little high potential and there exists a big chance that you make second-best low hand. The odds for winning the low hand is only 1% and, to make a flush, only 4%.

Hands that hold two gaps are often best to fold. The chances of making a straight are under 1% and you seldom win the low (for example, A-4-5-9).

Hands like 3-4-5-6, 4-5-6-7, 5-6-7-8 and 6-7-8-9 are hands that have a negative expected value. You will not win enough times with the low hand and will too seldom make the nut straight.

High-pairs with two random cards like K-K-x-x or Q-Q-x-x are not playable, although a high-pair with two low cards that also make your hand double-suited are playable in most games. For example K-K-2-4 double-suited is playable.

• You should play approximately 30%-35% of your hands.
• Generally, you should only play hands that include an A-2, A-3 or 2-3 for low hand.
• As a rule, you should only play hands that have four cards, at least (9 and higher) for high hand. An exception is A-9 hands with two big cards; this type of hand should not normally be played at all.
• You should occasionally play A-4 suited and A-5 suited if the other two cards work well with the hand.
• Usually, do not raise in early position with your good A-2 hands. Instead, raise with it in late position when there are several callers in front of you. This type of raise builds the pot when you are likely to have the best hand going in.

You should not raise in early position with your premium hands in loose Omaha high- low. You do not want to reduce the field and commit a lot of money until you have seen the flop. If you are sitting in late position and there are a couple of limpers in front of you, then you should raise in order to build the pot.

Again, if you hold an A-A and a low card (like a 2 or 3) or an Ace suited, do not raise before the flop in early position. You want to avoid forcing your opponents to fold since these types of hands work very well in multi-way pots.

You could raise with pocket Aces and two high cards from an early position to limit the field, since this type of hand plays well short-handed. An exception to raising would be if the raise is not likely to limit the field. If that is the case, it is most beneficial to call. However, if the flop comes with two or three low cards, fold this hand.

With this type of hand it is hard to scoop the pot and you do not flop the nut low hand often enough to make this hand profitable. If you do not hold an A-2, A-3 or 2-3, avoid playing this type of hand.

This type of hand can be worth playing for a high hand though you should be prepared to fold if there are two or three low cards on the flop.

Only play this type of hand if you have two other good cards to go with your high-pair. For example, if your hand is double-suited and/or has low potential, like a K-K-2-4 double-suited.